Black Country Water Cycle Study and
Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Final Report
September 2009
Prepared for the Black Country Local Authorities:
Black Country
Black Country Scoping and Outline Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Revision Schedule
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Surface Water Mangement Plan Final Report
September 2009
Rev
Date
Details
Prepared by
01
April 2009
Interim Technical
Report
(working document)
Gemma Costin
Assistant Water Specialist
02
May 2009
Interim Technical
Report
(working document)
Gemma Costin
Assistant Water Specialist
10
July 2009
Draft Final Report
Gemma Costin
Assistant Water Specialist
Reviewed by
Approved by
Neil Mackenzie
Senior Consultant
Jon Robinson
Associate Director
Thomas Bouisse
Water Engineer
Matthew Graham
Principal Consultant
11
Sept 2009
Final Report
Gemma Costin
Assistant Water Specialist
Carl Pelling
Principal Consultant
Thomas Bouisse
Water Engineer
Michael Timmins
Principal Consultant
Jon Robinson
Associate Director
Matthew Graham
Principal Consultant
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advice or opinion.
© Scott Wilson Ltd 2009
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Black Country
Black Country Scoping and Outline Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Table of Contents
Executive Summary.......................................................................................i
Study Purpose............................................................................................................................... i
Outline WCS.................................................................................................................................. i
Scoping SWMP Executive Summary ........................................................................................... iii
Acronyms and Abbreviations ....................................................................... vi
1
Introduction....................................................................................... 1
1.1
Growth in the Black Country ...........................................................................................1
1.2
Water and Development .................................................................................................2
1.3
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Surface Water Management Plan and
the Planning Process ......................................................................................................2
1.4
Aims and Objectives .......................................................................................................4
2
Black Country WCS and SWMP ....................................................... 5
2.1
2.2
The Water Cycle .............................................................................................................5
Implications for Development..........................................................................................6
2.3
Stages of a Water Cycle Study .......................................................................................6
2.4
Stages of a Surface Water Management Plan ................................................................9
2.5
Integration with the Planning System ............................................................................ 11
2.6
Data Availability ............................................................................................................ 11
3
The Black Country ...........................................................................12
3.1
Study Area.................................................................................................................... 12
3.2
National, Regional and Local Drivers and Policies ........................................................ 13
3.3
Development of Housing & Employment....................................................................... 19
4
Water Resources and Water Supply Baseline Assessment .............26
4.1
Introduction................................................................................................................... 26
4.2
Available Data............................................................................................................... 26
4.3
Regional Water Resources: Existing Situation .............................................................. 27
4.4
The Black Country - Water Resource Baseline Assessment ......................................... 27
4.5
Water Supply - Existing Capacity .................................................................................. 30
4.6
Water Resources and Water Supply Summary ............................................................. 43
5
Flood Risk Management, SUDS and Surface Water
Management....................................................................................46
5.1
Introduction................................................................................................................... 46
Black Country
Black Country Scoping and Outline Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
5.2
Catchment Description.................................................................................................. 46
5.3
Flood Risk Identification Methodology........................................................................... 46
5.4
Current Flood Risk to Development Areas .................................................................... 47
5.5
Potential Flood Risk from Development ........................................................................ 48
5.6
Residual Risk Management .......................................................................................... 50
5.7
Fluvial Flood Risk Summary ......................................................................................... 52
6
Scoping Stage Surface Water Management Plan ............................53
6.1
Background and Aims................................................................................................... 53
6.2
Summary of Initial Consultation and Data Collection..................................................... 53
6.3
Preliminary Identification of Flood Risk Issues from All Sources (Preparation
and Initial Risk Assessment) ......................................................................................... 54
6.4
Surface Water Flood Risk across the Black Country ..................................................... 63
6.5
Groundwater Flood Risk across the Black Country – Preliminary Analysis ................... 71
6.6
Sewer Flooding the Black Country ................................................................................ 77
6.7
Land Contamination...................................................................................................... 78
6.8
Proposed Approach and Methodology for Future Pluvial Modelling .............................. 81
6.9
6.10
Blue Print for Improving Watercourses in the Black Country ......................................... 85
Tools for Information Sharing and Management of Drainage Assets............................. 90
7
Integrated Drainage Strategy and SUDS Options Appraisal ............93
7.1
The Surface Water Management Train ......................................................................... 93
7.2
Suitability of Infiltration Techniques in the Black Country – SUDS Maps ....................... 98
7.3
Institutional Arrangements - SUDS Adoption and Maintenance................................... 102
8
Wastewater Treatment and Collection ...........................................105
8.1
8.2
Introduction................................................................................................................. 105
Data Availability .......................................................................................................... 105
8.3
Wastewater Treatment Baseline and Capacity............................................................ 106
8.4
Current Sewerage Network......................................................................................... 114
8.5
Wastewater Treatment and Collection Summary ........................................................ 118
9
Water Quality .................................................................................120
9.1
Introduction................................................................................................................. 120
9.2
Current Water Quality Baseline................................................................................... 120
9.3
Water Framework Directive (WFD) ............................................................................. 124
9.4
Water Quality Summary.............................................................................................. 134
10
Ecology and Biodiversity................................................................135
10.1
Introduction................................................................................................................. 135
Black Country
Black Country Scoping and Outline Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
10.2
Methodology ............................................................................................................... 135
10.3
Issue for Consideration: Treated effluent discharge .................................................... 137
10.4
Issue for Consideration: Abstraction from Local Sources ............................................ 142
10.5
Issue for Investigation: Abstraction from Non-Local Resources................................... 142
11
Water Cycle - Overview of Constraints ..........................................143
11.1
Water Resources and Supply ..................................................................................... 144
11.2
11.3
Flood Risk, SUDS and Surface Water Management ................................................... 145
Wastewater Treatment and Collection ........................................................................ 146
11.4
Water Environment ..................................................................................................... 147
12
Policy, Developer Guidance and Funding Mechanisms .................149
12.1
Introduction................................................................................................................. 149
12.2
12.3
Developer Checklist .................................................................................................... 149
Funding and Cost Apportionment Mechanisms........................................................... 150
13
Conclusions and Recommendations..............................................153
13.1
Overview..................................................................................................................... 153
13.2
Scenario Recommendations ....................................................................................... 158
13.3
Scope for Stage 2 Black Country WCS ....................................................................... 158
14
Progression of the WCS and SWMP..............................................159
14.1
Introduction................................................................................................................. 159
14.2
Issues for Consideration in Detailed WCS .................................................................. 160
14.3
Issues for Consideration in Outline SWMP(s) ............................................................. 160
15
References ....................................................................................162
Appendix A – Data Catalogue.................................................................... A1
Appendix B – Developer Checklist............................................................. B1
Appendix C – Figures ................................................................................ C1
Black Country
Black Country Scoping and Outline Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Executive Summary
Study Purpose
Scott Wilson were commissioned by the four Black Country Local Authorities, of Dudley,
Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton (the Black Country Authorities), to undertake a combined
Phase I Water Cycle Study (WCS) and Scoping Level Surface Water Management Plan
(SWMP).
The WCS and SWMP will provide an important input into the Black Country Joint Core Strategy,
and will inform the sub-regional strategic planning by providing evidence that environmental
capacity will not be breached, and the necessary infrastructure is identified and planned for in
the optimal way.
The Joint Core Strategy Preferred Options Report (2008) shows that 23,505 houses have been
built, or are committed as of 2007, leaving a net housing requirement of 37,695 from 2007 to
2026. Studies indicate a total net capacity of 39,530 (i.e. a surplus of 1,835), of which Dudley
can accommodate 28%, Sandwell 36%, Walsall 15% and Wolverhampton 21%.
The Outline Black Country WCS has identified the existing capacity of the water environment
and water cycle infrastructure and has used this assessment to determine impacts as a result of
development to 2026, and where new infrastructure is required.
Outline WCS
Water Resources and Supply
The Black Country has been assessed as an area of moderate water stress. The Black Country
is served by two water companies, Severn Trent Water (ST) and South Staffordshire Water
(SSW). The parts of the Black Country lying within ST’s Severn WRZ (3) are the areas around
Wolverhampton and also southwest corner of the Black Country around Stourbridge and
Halesowen. SSW provides water only services for the four population centres of Dudley,
Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Walsall.
ST’s draft WRMP indicates a supply/demand shortfall within the Severn WRZ (3) over the entire
planning period through to 2035. Their final WRMP to be published shortly (subject to DEFRA’s
approval) indicates a worsening position in terms of deficits once the latest effects of climate
change are included. As a result, ST is now proposing resources schemes (mainly groundwater)
and demand management measures within WRZ 3.
SSW has sufficient resources to meet the forecast growth in demand plus target headroom for
both the annual average and peak week conditions throughout the plan period to 2035. Demand
management measures are therefore all that is required by SSW.
An initial assessment of the potential benefits from adopting a Water Neutral position (i.e. no net
increase in water demand with new development considered) on all future residential
development within the Black Country indicates an achievable target for the Black Country
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Black Country Scoping and Outline Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Authorities to aim for. This would require the 332,000 currently unmetered households to reduce
their water consumption to rates just above the level required to meet the CSH Standard Level
-1 -1
1/2 (i.e. around 120 lh d ). Achieving close to water neutrality would reduce the reliance on
new water resources being required
Wastewater Treatment and Collection
There are six WwTWs located within the study area and a further eight bordering the area. Eight
of these works have been identified as potentially being impacted by proposed development
within the study area.
All WwTWs (where information was available to undertake the assessment) have sizeable spare
volumetric capacity to treat flows from new development in the area. However, no detailed
information on trade flow was provided and therefore the assumptions that have been made as
part of this assessment will need to be revisited in any future Detailed WCS.
WwTW quality consents are likely to require tightening under the WFD and as a result of the
proposed growth within the area to comply with WFD standards. This should be studied in more
detail.
The wastewater network assessment showed that there is a good coverage of existing strategic
sewers across the study area which will facilitate new connections to the existing network.
However, detailed modelling will need to be undertaken to assess the capacity in the network
especially in areas where more than one regeneration corridor will feed into the same sewer
(Ray Hill and Roundhill), or the area does not currently have an existing strategic network but
significant growth is planned (Brierley Hill).
Water Environment
Water quality within the Black Country was assessed downstream of the eight WwTWs as these
watercourses are most likely to be impacted by proposed growth within the study area. The
water quality has been assessed against current water quality objectives and future WFD
targets.
In general, water quality within the Black Country area is of fairly poor quality but has complied
with current water quality standards over the latest Environment Agency reporting periods.
None of the watercourses are currently achieving ‘good ecological status’ or ‘good ecological
potential’ under the WFD, with biology and phosphate frequently being assessed as poor or bad.
Any improvement in the water environment of the Black Country will be achieved by a
combination of measures, and investment to improve quality WwTW needs to be considered in
context.
Water Cycle Studies should also be compliant with the requirements of the Conservation
(Natural Habitats &c) Regulations 1994 (as amended 2007), which interprets the EU Habitats
Directive into English & Welsh law. Development may lead to impacts on the Humber SAC and
Severn Estuary SPA & RAMSAR site.
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Black Country Scoping and Outline Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Flood Risk
The aim of identifying the potential sources of flood risk to the study areas is to assess the risks
of all forms of flooding to and from development, in order to identify any potential development
constraints with respect to flood risk. Various documents were reviewed to assess the overall
flood risk to the study area. These included the Black Country Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk
Assessment (SFRA) and the Wolverhampton Level 2 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment.
The Black Country SFRA stated that the risk of fluvial flooding was relatively low across the subregion as the number of open watercourses was limitied. The main rivers and watercourses
posing a fluvial flood risk include the River Tame, River Stour; Ford Brook, Smestow Brook; and
Illey Brook.
Given the heavily urbanised nature of the study areas and the steep sided valleys, surface water
flood risk remains a significant issue to the sub-region. In addition, the high number of cuvlerted
watercourses in urban areas presents a significant residual risk of flooding through culvert
blockage and collapse.
Scoping SWMP Executive Summary
Establish Partnerships and Share Data
The heavily urbanised nature of the Black Country and its corresponding high level of
impermeable surfaces, the extensive network of culverted rivers, and steep sided valleys, result
in a high susceptibility to localised surface water flooding during periods of intense rainfall.
The challenges of managing flood risk in the Black Country is exacerbated by the fragmentation
of responsibilities in the management of urban drainage assets which generates inefficiencies
following road flooding incidents and it is often not clear which asset failed (trash screen, gully
pot, the connection pipe or trunk sewer) or a combination of multiple asset failures.
Based on the management challenges described above, a flood risk stakeholder engagement
and communication strategy is needed as part of the next phase of the Black Country SWMP.
The inclusion of stakeholder engagement and communications strategy will be critical to the
successful delivery of a co-ordinated investment plan.
Given the extensive British Waterways (BW) canal network in the Black Country and the history
of flood incidents (canal overtopping into adjacent rivers and surface water flooding through
leakages), it is recommended that the Black Country Authorities project team is expanded to
include BW as a formal partner in future stages of the SWMP.
Preliminary Risk Assessment - Multiple and Interlinked Sources of Flooding
Given the ambitious targets for growth assigned to the Black Country by the West Midlands RSS
and the steer given by Government and the Environment Agency (Defra's Making Space for
Water and Technical Guidance on SWMPs, the Pitt Review and the Draft Floods and Water
Management Bill), surface water modelling for the entire Black Country area (or on an individual
Council basis) should be undertaken to improve the shared understanding of surface water flood
risk.
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Black Country Scoping and Outline Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Based upon the fact that this study is a scoping study, no pluvial modelling was undertaken.
However, pluvial modelling will be a central element to the next phase of the Surface Water
Management Plan risk assessment process - which can be used by Councils in the Black
Country to:
•
Develop measures and recommendations to manage the sources and pathways of flooding
including land management to help tailor the allocations process,
•
Prepare for emergencies (together with others in Local Resilience Forums),
•
Inform Council Highways drainage and ordinary watercourse investments.
Groundwater Flooding and SUDS in the Black Country
Groundwater flooding is an issue in the Black Country partially as a result of the closure of
certain types of industry and the cessation of groundwater abstraction for these industries (the
primary Boroughs at risk based upon our initial data collection are Sandwell and
Wolverhampton). Currently very little is known on past groundwater flooding incidents and the
extent and mechanism of groundwater flooding can be difficult to diagnose.
Groundwater flooding is linked to areas with shallow groundwater tables. These areas are
typically not suitable for SUDS. Further groundwater investigations are needed throughout the
study area to better assess the suitability of infiltration techniques.
In conjunction with more detailed assessments of the mechanisms of groundwater flooding, land
contamination needs to be systematically investigated to determine whether SUDS are suitable,
as this may restrict the range of available drainage options within the Black Country.
As part of the next phase of a future SWMP, areas at risk of groundwater flooding should be
mapped.
Asset Management
Given the number of Council owned flood risk assets within the Black Country (approx. 105km of
culverts and 131 trash screens plus many other informal defences, concrete structures and
embankments) a relatively simple tool – such as a Drainage Asset Register would be the first
step towards a integrated understanding of the entire drainage network. We recommend that the
development of a Drainage Asset Register would help with the improved understanding of asset
ownership, condition and performance.
Spatial Planning - Strategies for New Development
Based upon our initial data collection and interviews with the various Local Planning Authorities
Drainage Engineers, it appears that there may have been missed opportunities in the past to
maximise on the use of SUDS and to shape the final drainage layouts of proposed new
developments. An integrated drainage strategy and a checklist for all new developments would
ensure a greater use of SUDS, where appropriate as well as providing a satisfactory planning
consultation with the Council’s Drainage Engineers.
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Black Country Scoping and Outline Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
The lack of a defined river corridor including appropriate buffers for development has resulted in
extensive culverting (approximately 105 km) along the river network. This legacy of assets
(culverts and trash screens) is expensive to maintain and often contributes to increased flood
risk, and potential flood impacts through any blockages. We recommend stronger adaptation to
the principles of Making Space for Water (Defra 2005) through the creation of a detailed River
Corridor Improvement Plan (RCIP).
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Black Country Scoping and Outline Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Acronyms and Abbreviations
Abbreviation
Description
AMP
Asset Management Plan
BAT
Best Available Technology
BATNEEC
Best Available Technology Not Entailing Excessive Cost
BCA
Black Country Authorities
BCJCS
Black Country Joint Core Strategy
BCSWMP
Black Country (Scoping) Surface Water Management Plan
BCWCS
Black Country (Scoping and Outline) Water Cycle Study
BOD
Biochemical Oxygen Demand
BGS
British Geological Society
BW
British Waterways
CAMS
Catchment Abstraction Management Strategy
CC
City Council
CDA
Critical Drainage Area
CFMP
Catchment Flood Management Plan
CLG
Communities and Local Government
CSH
Code for Sustainable Homes
CSO
Combined Sewer Overflow
DEFRA
Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
DEM
Digital Elevation Model
DO
Dissolved Oxygen
DO
Deployable Output (in sections 4 and 10)
DMBC
Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
DPD
Development Plan Document
DWF
Dry Weather Flow
EA
Environment Agency
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Black Country Scoping and Outline Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Abbreviation
Description
EP
English Partnerships
FtFT
Flow to Full Treatment
GI
Green Infrastructure
GIS
Geographical Information System
GQA
General Quality Assessment
HCA
Homes and Communities Agency (formerly English Partnerships)
HMWB
Heavily Modified Water Body
HPPE
High Performance Poly Ethylene (pipe)
-1 -1
Litres per capita per day (water consumption measurement)
lh d
-1 -1
Litres per head per day
LDF
Local Development Framework
LiDAR
Light Detection and Ranging
LPA
Local Planning Authority
LRF
Local Resilience Forum
MBC
Metropolitan Borough Council
MBR
Membrane Bioreactor
Mld
-1
Mega litres per day
MSfW
Making Space for Water
N
Nitrogen
NE
Natural England
NGP
New Growth Point
NGR
National Grid Reference
NVZ
Nitrate Vulnerable Zone
OFWAT
The Office of Water Services
P
Phosphorous
PE
Population Equivalent
PPS
Planning Policy Statement
lc d
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Black Country Scoping and Outline Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Abbreviation
Description
RSS
Regional Spatial Strategy
SA
Sustainability Appraisal
SAC
Special Area for Conservation
SCADA
Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition
SEA
Strategic Environmental Assessment
SEP
South East Plan
SEPA
Scottish Environment Protection Agency
SfG
Strategy for Growth
SFRA
Strategic Flood Risk Assessment
SIMCAT
EA mathematical River Water Quality Model
SMBC
Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council
SPA
Special Protection Area
SPR
Source-Pathway-Receptor
SPZ
Source Protection Zone
SRP
Soluble Reactive Phosphorus
SSSI
Site of Special Scientific Interest
SSW
South Staffordshire Water
ST
Severn Trent Water
SUDS
Sustainable Drainage Systems
SWMP
Surface Water Management Plan
TSFR
Treated Sewage Flow Recorder (flow meter)
TSS
Total Suspended Solids (in waste water)
UWWTD
Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive
WCC
Wolverhampton City Council
WCS
Water Cycle Study
WFD
Water Framework Directive
WBC
Walsall Borough Council
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Black Country Scoping and Outline Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Abbreviation
Description
WRMP
Water Resources Management Plan
WRPZ
Water Resources Planning Zone
WRZ
Water Resources Zone
WSI
Water Services Infrastructure
WwTW
Waste Water Treatment Works
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Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
1
Introduction
Scott Wilson were commissioned by the four Black Country Local Authorities, of Dudley,
Sandwell, Walsall and Wolverhampton (The Black Country Authorities), to undertake a
combined Phase I Water Cycle Study (WCS) and Scoping Level Surface Water Management
Plan (SWMP).
The WCS and SWMP will provide an important input into the Black Country Joint Core Strategy,
and will inform the sub-regional strategic planning by providing evidence that environmental
capacity will not be breached, and the necessary infrastructure is identified and planned for in
the optimal way.
1.1
Growth in the Black Country
The West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (WMRSS) (formerly RPG 11) was initially
published by Office of the Deputy Prime Minister in June 2004. At that time, the Secretary of
State indicated that a fundamental review of the strategy was not necessary in the short term,
and that matters needing to be developed further could be undertaken as subsequent revisions.
There are three revisions intended to support the existing WMRSS, The Phase One Revision, in
respect of the Black Country sub-region, was incorporated into the current WMRSS, which was
adopted in January 2008.
At the local level, the Black Country Joint Core Strategy (JCS) - Preferred Options has identified
an allocation of 63,035 homes up to 2026, exceeding the targets projections in 2004 by 9,200
dwellings. This target is inline with the conclusions within the Nathantiel Lichfield Partnership
(NLP) report and is unlikely to meet any challenge at the Examination in public (EiP).
The Regional Spatial Strategies (RSS) are intended to guide the preparation of local authority
Local Development Frameworks and Local Transport Plans, over the period up to 2021and
beyond. They provide long term strategies and deals with the broad locations for development
and the movement of people within and between these locations. They do not however, deal
with site-specific allocations of land or policies; these are addressed at the local level by the
Local Development Framework. The WMRSS focuses growth on the restructuring of the four
Major Urban Areas (MUAs) of the Region. These include Birmingham and Solihull, the Black
Country, Coventry and North Staffordshire conurbation.
The sub-regional spatial strategy for the Black Country seeks to address the range of challenges
set out within RSS, and identifies the spatial proposals within which growth can be managed. It
focuses land use and transport restructuring on the four strategic centres, and upon the strategic
regeneration corridors that offer opportunities for housing and employment development.
The four strategic centres are West Bromwich and Walsall town centres, and Wolverhampton
city centre, together with Brierley Hill.
The Regeneration Corridors include those based on existing and future public transport routes,
and on the sub-region’s canal network. These corridors will include those connecting the
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Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
strategic centres to each other, and the sub-region to Birmingham city centre; others link the
network of local centres in the Black Country.
1.2
Water and Development
In the context of Water Cycle Studies (WCSs) the ‘water cycle’ is defined as both the natural &
semi-natural water environment (i.e. rivers, wetland ecosystems, aquifers), and water
infrastructure (hard engineering focused elements such as: water treatment works, supply
pipelines and pumping stations) which are used by human activity to manipulate the cycle.
In directly manipulating elements of the water cycle, man can impact the natural and seminatural water environment, and these can be negative, positive or neutral. If growth and
development are to be facilitated, there is a requirement for clean water supply, abstracted from
various waterbodies, but ultimately taken from natural sources; the treatment of waste water
which has to be returned to ground or surface water; and the management of surface water flow
paths, which can affect ground and surface water, ecological sites, water quality and flood risk.
In many parts of the UK, some elements of the water environment are considered to be at, or
close to, their limit in terms of how much more they can be manipulated.
A WCS will ensure that the sustainability of new development is considered with respect to
water, limits are identified, and any new water infrastructure required to facilitate growth is
planned in a strategic manner. In so doing, the WCS can ensure that provision of water
infrastructure is sufficient such that it reduces negative impacts on the water environment.
1.3
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Surface Water
Management Plan and the Planning Process
As part of the LDF process, Local Planning Authorities (LPAs) are required to produce evidence
based studies which support the selection processes used in deciding on final growth targets
and areas to be promoted for growth. The WCS and Surface Water Management Plan are such
examples of evidence based studies which specifically address the impact of proposed growth
on the water environment and, as such, will form an important component of the Black Country’s
emerging LDFs. Specifically, the Black Country WCS will sit alongside the Sustainability
Appraisal, Strategic Environmental Assessment, Appropriate Assessment and Strategic Flood
Risk Assessment, and will inform the emerging Black Country Core Strategy Development Plan
Document, a key element of the four authorities’ LDFs.
Water Cycle Studies are a relatively new approach to assessing the impact of new development
with respect to water. The Black Country WCS and SWMP must be sufficiently robust such that
it can form part of the evidence base for Black Country’s emerging LDF.
Section 3.2.3.1 provides more detail on the LDF planning process within the Black Country and
other LDF studies that have been or are being produced on behalf of the four Black Country
Authorities to act as evidence bases for each developing LDF.
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Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
1.3.1
Where does a SWMP sit?
Determining where and how to apply a SWMP within the context of a LPA governance structure
is central to the overall success of these plans. Also, given that SWMPs are a relatively new tool,
Figure 1.1 is intended to clarify where a SWMP sits highlighting the necessary cross-sector
interface and co-ordination needed for successful implementation.
Development
Control
Emergency
Planning
SWMP
Strategic
Planning
Highways
Drainage
Figure 1.1 Necessary Cross-Sector Interface & Co-ordination for Successful SWMP
Implementation
Furthermore, there are three key recommendations from Sir Michael Pitt’s independent review
1
into the summer 2007 floods related to Local Authorities, as follows:
Recommendation 14:
Local Authorities should lead on the management of local flood risk
(including surface water flooding) at the local level with the support of relevant
organisations.
Local Authorities should collate and map the main flood risk
Recommendation 16:
management and drainage assets (over and underground), including a record of
their ownership and condition.
Recommendation 18: Local SWMPs, as set out under PPS25 and coordinated by local
authorities, should provide the basis for managing all local flood risk.
1
The Pitt Review, An Independent review by Sir Michael Pitt, Learning Lessons from the Summer 2007 Floods, Final Report, June
2008, http://archive.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/pittreview/thepittreview/final_report.html
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Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
1.4
Aims and Objectives
The objective of the Black Country WCS (BCWCS) and SWMP Scoping Study are to identify any
constraints on housing and employment growth planned for the Borough of Black Country up to
2026 that may be caused by water and how these can be resolved i.e. by assessing the level of
appropriate water infrastructure which should be provided to support the proposed development.
Furthermore, it will provide a strategic approach to the management and use of water to ensure
that the sustainability of the water environment in the region is not compromised.
In conjunction with other strategic studies which inform the LDF, a WCS for Black Country is
therefore required to:
• Ensure a co-ordinated approach to identify water supply and waste water infrastructure to
support development,
• Avoid negative impact on water-dependent European sites, and non-European designated
sites of nature conservation,
• Provide an evidence base for Local Development Documents to site development so that
the Black Country Authorities can,
• Ensure delivery of new development within Black Country in the most sustainable
way with respect to the water environment,
• Maximise potential of existing water infrastructure,
• Minimise the need for new infrastructure.
This report summarises the outputs of the Outline Water Cycle Study and scoping Surface Water
Management Plan. The study has been undertaken following discussions with, and using data
provided by, the following key stakeholders:
• Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC),
• Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council (DMBC),
• Wolverhampton City Council (WCC),
• Walsall Borough Council (WBC),
• Environment Agency (EA),
• Severn Trent Water (ST),
• South Staffordshire Water (SSW),
• Natural England (NE).
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Black Country WCS and SWMP
2.1
The Water Cycle
The human influence on water processes introduces many factors; the need to abstract water for
potable and other uses; treat, store and distribute it; and to collect, treat and dispose of
wastewater, as shown in Figure 2.1. There is a concomitant need to manage both quantity and
quality of surface and groundwater. The development and introduction of technology such as
pipes, pumps, drains, and chemical treatment processes has meant that human development
has been able to manipulate the natural water cycle to support activities in both rural and urban
environments, and to facilitate growth and development. Thus, the term ‘Water Cycle’ in this
context can be defined as both the natural & semi-natural water related environment (there are
few, if any, totally ‘natural’ water systems in the world, rivers, wetland ecosystems, aquifers for
example are all impacted and managed to a greater or lesser extent by direct or indirect actions
of human society), and the water infrastructure (hard engineering focused elements such as:
water treatment works, supply pipelines and pumping stations) which are used by humans to
manage the water environment.
2
Figure 2.1 The Water Cycle Study
2
Water Cycle Study Guidance, Environment Agency January 2009 (http://publications.environmentagency.gov.uk/pdf/GEHO0109BPFF-e-e.pdf )
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2.2
Implications for Development
Man’s management of water has potential to impact built and rural environments in direct and
indirect ways. To facilitate growth and development, there is a requirement for water abstraction
for potable use which is taken from two main sources (groundwater or surface waters, including;
rivers, lakes, reservoirs, canals, desalinisation plants. A significant proportion of surface water
can be re-abstracted after it passes through WwTW’s). Un-regulated abstractions can adversely
affect water levels, both above and below ground, with subsequent impacts on water chemistry,
aquatic ecology and water-dependant habitats. Subsequently, waste water must be collected
and treated before being returned to the system, the impact of which on receiving waters needs
to be carefully controlled. Finally, the alteration and management of surface water flow paths
has implications for flood risk, which again must be quantified and managed to protect life and
property.
In many parts of the UK, some elements of the natural water cycle are considered to be at, or
close to their limit in terms of how much more they can be manipulated. Further development will
lead to an increase in demand for water supply and a commensurate increase in the requirement
for waste water treatment; in addition, flood risk may increase if development is not planned for
in a strategic manner. The sustainability of the the water environment is therefore at risk.
A WCS is an ideal method to quantify this problem and to recommend ways to minimise further
impact. A WSC aims to ensure that the sustainability of new development is considered with
respect to water, and that new water infrastructure introduced to facilitate growth is planned for
in a strategic manner; in so doing, the WCS can ensure that provision of water infrastructure is
sufficient such that it encourages sustainable water management.
2.3
Stages of a Water Cycle Study
2
Current guidance on WCSs suggests that they should generally be undertaken in three stages,
(dependent on the status of the various Local Development Documents (LDDs), as part of the
wider Local Development Framework (LDF), being prepared by LPAs for submission). To
coincide with Black Country’s timescales for responses and submissions the WCS is currently
being undertaken in two stages: Scoping & outline (combined) and Detailed (if required).
Figure 2.2 illustrates the three stages of the WCS and how they inform planning decisions and
documents.
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Figure 2.2 Typical Stages of the Water Cycle Study Process
2.3.1
2
Scoping Water Cycle Study
The scoping study aims to determine the key water related areas where development is likely to
either impact on the water environment, or is likely to require significant investment in water
infrastructure (i.e. pipes, or treatment) to service new development.
It is a high level assessment that looks at town or area-wide issues and its key purpose is to
define whether there are significant constraints that would need further assessment to determine
whether they affect either locations of proposed allocation options, or the amount of
development that can be provided within an allocation site.
2.3.2
Outline Water Cycle Study
The Outline Study should consider all of the ways in which new development will impact on the
water environment or water infrastructure specific to where growth is most likely to be targeted. It
covers all aspects of the water cycle, including:
• Flood risk of development areas;
• Potential for development to increase flood risk,
• Water resource capacity,
• Capacity of clean (potable) water treatment works (WTW) and distribution systems,
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• Capacity of wastewater collection, and wastewater treatment works (WwTW);
• Physical capacity of receiving waters,
• Chemical capacity of receiving waters to accept additional loads from WwTW discharges;
• Impact on ecologically important sites that are water related and could be impacted by
development e.g. wetland sites with nearby abstractions.
The Outline study should provide a LPA with evidence regarding water issues with respect to
proposed location(s) of development, to sit alongside other planning considerations such as
schools, transport and utilities. Together these factors have a bearing on how, where and when
development could be planned. It therefore plays a key role in the development of Site
Allocation DPDs, but more crucially the development of the Core Strategy and the strategic
policies which accompany it.
Ideally, the Outline study should assess all of the allocation sites being considered for growth by
each LPA, including the scenarios for how different numbers of housing and jobs could be
provided in each allocation. In so doing, the outline study should:
• Define the baseline condition of water environment and infrastructure and hence establish
how much development could be accommodated without significant investment;
• Outline where there are key ‘water’ constraints to further development in each allocation for
each scenario;
• Consider outline options for new infrastructure that would be required to facilitate
development beyond the defined ‘capacity’; when and where this would be needed e.g.
new, or upgraded flood defence works; expansion of WwTW capacity;
• Determine whether any ecologically sensitive sites would be impacted by development and
what are the most likely causes of impact;
• Determine whether reductions in water use could be implemented and how effective they
might be in reducing any impacts identified; and
• Produce a summary assessment showing which of the development scenarios is least
constrained and will have the least impact on the water environment.
At this stage, an outline study is required to inform the Black Country Authorities Joint Core
Strategy and help to develop Site Allocations DPDs. As a result, it cannot go into site specific
details of exactly what new infrastructure should be provided and when. The detail of new
infrastructure requirements can only be decided once firm decisions have been made about the
location of allocations and the scale of development proposed within the allocations.
A key aim of the Outline study is to provide LPAs with the evidence base which ensures that
water issues have been taken into account when deciding the location and scale of development
within an authority’s planning area as part of the development of the Core Strategy.
An Outline WCS should also give water companies an evidence base to support business plans
which determine how much they can charge customers to invest in upgrades and the provision
new infrastructure required to service proposed development.
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It could be that the Outline Study identifies that water cycle issues are not significant, and that
new development can be implemented without significant new investment. If this is the case, a
detailed study may not be required.
If new infrastructure is required, or an impact to the water environment cannot be ruled out as
significant, a detailed water cycle study will need to be undertaken for site specific allocations, or
for the authority as a whole.
2.3.3
Detailed Water Cycle Study
A detailed study can vary significantly in its scope and remit. However, its key purpose is to
define what specific infrastructure and mitigation is required to facilitate development, once any
decisions have been made on environmental constraints and absolute limiting factors. A
detailed WCS should use information on the location of allocations, together with the scale and
type of development within them. In so doing, the detailed study will identify:
• When new infrastructure or mitigation is required and hence how development can be
phased to minimise impact on the environment;
• Opportunities for providing water environment mitigation that works in synergy with
development, management of green corridors and open space (e.g. water balancing ponds
and protected urban river corridors);
• Who is responsible for providing the infrastructure/mitigation and maintaining it;
• An approximate costs for new infrastructure & mitigation;
• How developers can contribute to the infrastructure and how funding can be managed; and
• A checklist for developers to use in the preparation of planning applications to ensure the
requirements of the water cycle study are planned for at the early possible opportunity and
to reduce the likelihood of objections to development from the EA, Water Companies and
NE.
Depending on the findings of the Outline Study, there could be the potential requirement to
undertake projects in order to define exactly what infrastructure or mitigation is required.
A detailed study should be undertaken in conjunction with the development of DPDs such as
Area Action Plans and should provide the evidence base to site specific policies in SPDs.
2.4
Stages of a Surface Water Management Plan
It is recommended that in circumstances where the SWMP is undertaken over a broad
geographical area such as the Black Country (approximately 36,000 ha spread across four
separate Local Authorities), or where the level of existing information or knowledge is minimal
(e.g. SFRA does not adequately cover surface water flooding), an initial high level screening or
scoping study should be carried out.
This report constitutes a scoping level SWMP as per the Defra Guidance. The content of each
stage is described below.
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2.4.1
Scoping (Preparation - Stage 1)
Summary - High-level Assessment of Surface Water Flooding, including:
• Build partnerships of key organisations,
• Share data, information & knowledge,
• Where available, utilise the Environment Agency's 'Areas Susceptible to Surface Water
Flooding Mapping,'
• Conduct engineering site inspections,
• Identify areas requiring a more detailed assessment,
• Select a suitable approach (including modelling strategy) for the next steps.
2.4.2
Outline (Risk Assessment - Stage 2)
Summary - Develop a joint understanding of surface water flood mechanisms (building on
outputs from the Scoping level study), including:
• 2D hydraulic pluvial modelling (focusing on growth areas only),
• Identify Critical Drainage Areas (CDAs),
• Preliminary identification of options,
• Initial appraisal of options,
• Develop a communications plan.
2.4.3
Detailed (Options appraisal - Stage 3 and Implementation/Review – Stage 4)
Summary - A comprehensive assessment of surface water flooding, including:
• Detailed 1D/2D hydraulic modelling (for existing built up areas and new growth sites),
• Clarify responsibilities and co-ordinate investment in drainage systems to manage the risk,
• Identify where a series of small measures can solve wider problems (total catchment
solutions),
• Make recommendations to inform water company plans,
• Cost/benefit analysis of Preferred Option(s) in Agreement with Stakeholders,
• Action Plan and/or Co-ordinated investment plan.
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2.5
Integration with the Planning System
As part of the Local Development Framework (LDF) process, LPAs are required to produce
evidence based studies which support the selection processes used in deciding on final growth
targets and areas to be promoted for growth. The WCS is one such example of an evidence
based study which specifically addresses the impact of proposed growth on the water
environment.
As part of the overall strategy to meet future growth targets set out in the RSS in a sustainable
way, the WCS will make up one of a number of strategic studies and plans which will form part of
the evidence base supporting the production of Black Country authorities LDFs. Specifically, the
WCS will form an important basis of the Black Country Core Strategy making up part of the LDF,
as well as providing input to the development of SPDs to assist in ensuring the delivery of water
cycle management requirements at the local planning application level.
There are several other studies which have been, or are in the process of being produced on
behalf of Black Country authorities to act as evidence bases to the developing LDF. Those most
relevant to the WCS are listed below and the WCS has been informed by these studies:
• Black Country Level 1 Strategic Flood Risk Assessment (SFRA); and
• Black Country Joint Core Strategy – Habitats Regulation Assessment (HRA).
2.6
Data Availability
Undertaking a WCS and SWMP requires a large amount of data collection, much of which is
reliant on the willingness of third parties to supply in order to allow the study to be progressed. In
some cases, the availability of data with respect to water cycle infrastructure and future planning
is not available within the time required to undertake the assessment and various assumptions
may be needed to enable the study to continue. This study has built on data collated as part of
the Scoping Study and requested further detailed information where required. A catalogue of the
data collected, identifying the data provider in each case, and further data required to complete
the Detailed WCS has been compiled.
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3
The Black Country
3.1
Study Area
The Black Country comprises the administrative areas of Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council
(DBC), Sandwell Metropolitan Borough Council (SMBC), Walsall Borough Council (WBC) and
Wolverhampton City Council (WCC), as shown in Figure 3.1.
2
It covers an area of approximately 360km and is located to the north west of Birmingham in the
West Midlands.
© Crown Copyright, all rights reserved 2009.
Figure 3.1 Black Country Study Area
Regeneration in the Black Country is a recognised requirement in the Regional Spatial Strategy.
The Black Country has a population of almost 1.1m people, living in 462,000 houses and there
are approximately 500,000 jobs, historically based on heavy industry as an important facet of its
industrial past. Today it retains important economic activity at the centre of national road, rail and
canal networks.
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The Black Country is a distinctive sub-region at the heart of Britain. Since 1990, the population
has fallen by over 20,000 and net outward migration has approached 4,000 people per annum,
hence the Black Country Study recognises that this is one of only four sub regions in the UK
experiencing population decline. One of the reasons is thought to be a failure to attract
sufficient new employment sectors (especially the knowledge based economy), and the
proposed Black Country Core Strategy aims to address the reasons for this, while building on
the strengths of the traditional regional economy and environment.
3.2
National, Regional and Local Drivers and Policies
3.2.1
National Drivers and Policies
The growth within the Black Country is driven by regional planning policy, but any growth and
changes to the environment will need to comply with EU Directives, as enacted by UK legislation
and guidance on water as listed in Table 3-1.
Table 3-1 EU Directives and UK Legislation and Guidance on Water
Directive/Legislation/
Guidance
Description
Bathing Waters
Directive 76/160/EEC
To protect the health of bathers, and maintain the aesthetic quality of
inland and coastal bathing waters. Sets standards for variables, and
includes requirements for monitoring and control measures to comply with
standards.
Code for Sustainable
Homes
The Code for Sustainable Homes has been introduced to drive a stepchange in sustainable home building practice, providing a standard for
key elements of design and construction which affect the sustainability of
a new home. It will become the single national standard for sustainable
homes, used by home designers and builders as a guide to development,
and by home-buyers to assist in their choice of home.
It will form the basis for future developments of the Building Regulations in
relation to carbon emissions from, and energy use in homes, therefore
offering greater regulatory certainty to developers.
Environment Act 1995
Sets out the role and responsibility of the EA.
Environmental
Protection Act, 1990
Integrated Pollution Control (IPC) system for emissions to air, land and
water.
Future Water, February
2008
Sets out the Government’s vision for water in England in 2030. The
strategy sets out an integrated approach to the sustainable management
of all aspects of the water cycle, from rainfall and drainage, through to
treatment and discharge, focusing on practical ways to achieve the vision
to ensure sustainable use of water. The aim is to ensure sustainable
delivery of water supplies, and help improve the water environment for
future generations.
Groundwater Directive
80/68/EEC
To protect groundwater against pollution by ‘List 1 and 2’ Dangerous
Substances.
Making Space for Water,
Outlines the Government strategy for the next 20 years to implement a
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Directive/Legislation/
Guidance
Description
2004
more holistic approach to managing flood and coastal erosion risks in
England. The policy aims to reduce the threat of flooding to people and
property, and to deliver the greatest environmental, social and economic
benefit.
Planning Policy
Statements and
Planning Policy
Guidance
Planning policy in the UK is set by Planning Policy Statements (PPSs)
They explain statutory guidelines and advise local authorities and others
on planning policy and operation of the planning system.
PPSs also explain the relationship between planning policies and other
policies which have an important bearing on issues of development and
land use. These must be taken into account in preparing development
plans.
A water cycle study helps to balance the requirements of the various
planning policy documents, and ensure that land-use planning and water
cycle infrastructure provision is sustainable.
The most relevant PPSs to WCS are:
PPS1 – Delivering Sustainable Development;
PPS1 supplement – Planning and Climate Change;
PPS3 – Housing;
PPS9 – Biodiversity and Geological Conservation;
PPS12 – Local Development Frameworks;
PPS23 – Planning and Pollution Control; and
PPS25 – Development and Flood Risk.
The Pollution Prevention
and Control Act (PPCA),
1999
Implements the IPPC Directive. Replaces IPC with a Pollution Prevention
and Control (PPC) system, which is similar but applies to a wider range of
installations.
Water Act 2003
Implements changes to the water abstraction management system and to
regulatory arrangements to make water use more sustainable.
Water Framework
Directive (WFD)
2000/60/EC
The WFD was passed into UK law in 2003. The overall requirement of
the directive is that all river basins must achieve “good ecological status”
by 2015 unless there are grounds for derogation. The WFD will, for the
first time, combine water quantity and water quality issues together. An
integrated approach to the management of all freshwater bodies,
groundwaters, estuaries and coastal waters at the river basin level will be
adopted. It will effectively supersede all water related legislation which
drives the existing licensing and consenting framework in the UK. In
England and Wales, the EA is the designated competent authority
responsible for the implementation of the WFD.
3
UKTAG , (WFD advisory body) has proposed water quality, ecology,
water abstraction and river flow standards to be adopted in order to
3
The UKTAG (UK Technical Advisory Group) is a working group of experts drawn from environment and conservation agencies. It
was formed to provide technical advice to the UK’s government administrations and its own member agencies. UKTAG also includes
representatives from the Republic of Ireland.
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Directive/Legislation/
Guidance
Description
ensure that water bodies in the UK (including groundwater) meet the
4
required status . These are currently in draft form and will not be
formalised until the final River Basin Management Plans are finalised in
December 2009 (prior to EC sign off. The WCS is required to consider the
longer term issues with respect to the water cycle and water environment
and as such, an assessment of the impact of the interim WFD standards
has been considered.
Water Resources Act,
1991
3.2.2
Protection of the quantity and quality of water resources and aquatic
habitats.
Regional Drivers and Policies
Table 3-2 Water Related Policies in West Midlands Regional Spatial Strategy (WMRSS)
5
Policy
Description
Policy WAT2:
Water
Infrastructure
“The Environment Agency and water companies should work with OFWAT, EERA
and the neighbouring regional assemblies, local authorities, delivery agencies and
others to ensure timely provision of the appropriate additional infrastructure for water
supply and waste water treatment to cater for the levels of development provided
through this plan, whilst meeting surface and groundwater quality standards, and
avoiding adverse impact on sites of European or international importance for wildlife.
A co-ordinated approach to plan making should be developed through a programme
of water cycle and river cycle studies to address the issues of water supply, water
quality, wastewater treatment and flood risk in receiving water courses relating to
development proposed in this RSS.
Complementing this approach, Local Development Documents should plan to site
new development so as to maximise the potential of existing water/waste water
treatment infrastructure and minimise the need for new/improved infrastructure.”
Policy WAT3:
Integrated
Water
Management
“Local Planning Authorities should work with partners to ensure their plans, policies,
programmes and proposals take account of the environmental consequences of river
basin management plans, catchment abstraction management strategies,
groundwater vulnerability maps, groundwater source protection zone maps,
proposals for water abstraction and storage and the need to avoid adverse impacts
on sites of European importance for wildlife.
The Environment Agency and water industry should work with local authorities and
other partners to develop an integrated approach to the management of the water
environment.”
Policy WAT4:
Flood Risk
Management
Local Development Documents should:
•
“use Strategic Flood Risk Assessments to guide development away from
floodplains, other areas at medium or high risk or likely to be at future risk
4
UK Environmental Standards and Conditions (Phase I) Final Report, April 2008. UK Technical Advisory Group on the Water
Framework Directive.
5
Regional Spatial Strategy for the West Midlands, Government Office for the West Midlands, January 2008.
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Policy
Description
from flooding, and areas where development would increase the risk of
flooding elsewhere;
Policy QE9:
The Water
Environment
•
include policies which identify and protect flood plains and land liable to tidal
or coastal flooding from development, based on the Environment Agency’s
flood maps and Strategic Flood Risk Assessments supplemented by
historical and modelled flood risk data, Catchment Flood Management Plans
and policies in Shoreline Management Plans and Flood Management
Strategies, including ‘managed re-alignment’ where appropriate;
•
only propose departures from the above principles in exceptional cases
where suitable land at lower risk of flooding is not available, the benefits of
development outweigh the risks from flooding, and appropriate mitigation
measures are incorporated; and
•
require that sustainable drainage systems are incorporated in all appropriate
developments”.
“The Core Strategy promotes the use of SuDS as part of all new development
proposals and proposes to integrate floodplain areas into the Boroughs green
infrastrcutrue network”.
3.2.3
Local Drivers and Policies
3.2.3.1
Local Development Framework
It is essential that the LDDa making up the LDFs are all informed using the findings and advice
from a sound evidence base that examines economic, social and environmental needs and
constraints. This must include the comprehensive planning, phasing, delivery and management
of water, sewerage, flooding and drainage infrastructure, whilst not adversely affecting
environmental capacity. A critical element is therefore to consider in greater detail, the risks
associated from all forms of flooding and the existing state, limitations and future requirements of
the Black Country water cycle system in the context of future growth.
The Black Country Authorities’ LDF will set out the plan for directing development within the
area. The choice of where to locate new development, and new waste water sites, will directly
impact upon one another. Due to this, the findings of the WCS will be important in future
alterations to the LDF – particularly the Core Strategy, Site Specific Allocations and Minerals and
Waste DPDs.
3.2.3.2
Water Company Planning
It is important to consider the planning timelines, both for the Black Country Borough Auhtorities
in terms of theie LDFs but also ST and SSW in terms of the funding mechanisms for new water
supply and water treatment infrastructure.
There are two elements of Water Company planning that are pertinent to the Black Country
WCS and specifically, with regard to integration with Spatial Planning timelines for LPAs and
Regional Government.
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3.2.3.3
Financial and Asset Planning
Water companies currently plan for Asset Management and the financial procurement required
for this through the Asset Management Plan (AMP) process which runs in 5 year cycles. The
Office of Water Services (OFWAT) is the economic regulator of the water and sewerage industry
in England and Wales, and regulates this overall process.
In order to undertake maintenance of its existing assets and to enable the building of new assets
(asset investment), water companies seek funding by charging customers according to the level
of investment they need to make. The process of determining how much asset investment
required is undertaken in conjunction with;
• The EA as the regulator determining investment required to improve the environment;
• The Drinking Water Inspectorate (DWI) who determine where investment is required to
improve quality of drinking water; and,
• OFWAT who along with the EA require Water Companies to plan sufficiently to ensure
security of supply (of potable water) to customers during dry and normal years.
The outcome is a Business Plan which is produced by each Water Company setting out the
required asset investment over the next 5 year period, the justification for it and the price
increases required to fund it.
Overall, the determination of how much a Water Company can charge its customers is
undertaken by OFWAT. OFWAT will consider the views of the Water Company, the other
regulators (EA, DWI) and consumer groups such as the Consumer Council for Water when
determining the price limits it will allow a water Company to set in order to enable future asset
investment. This process is known as the Price Review (PR) and is undertaken in 5 year cycles.
When OFWAT make a determination on a Water Company’s business plan, the price limits are
set for the proceeding five year period allowing the water company to raise the funds required to
undertake the necessary investment which will also be undertaken in that 5 year planning period
(the AMP period).
Both ST and SSW published their draft Business Plan (BP) for Price Review 2009 (PR09) in
August 2008. OFWAT have responded to these plans, individually and in collective response
published in October/November 2008. Both companies have now submitted their final BPs
which will seek funding for asset investment for the 5 year period covering 2010-2015 (known as
AMP5). Their final BPs were published in April 2009.
Ideally any new asset (or infrastructure) investment required to meet the requirements of the
WCS should be incorporated into the final BPs. The timing of the Black Country WCS will mean
that only those infrastructure improvements which have been included in the final BPs will have
a chance of being funded during the AMP5 period. In effect, this will mean that the outcome of
this Outline Study WCS will be mainly designed to inform the next Price Review, which comes
towards the end of AMP5 and which would result in funding not being available until AMP6
running from 2015-2020.
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The WCS is therefore essential for several reasons; it allows the discrepancies in the planning
timeframes of ST, SSW and the Black Country Councils to be reconciled through strategic
planning as well as providing sufficient evidence base for the different Black Country Council’s
statutory LDF processes and robust evidence and justification for both ST and SSW’s Strategic
Business Plans for investment required in AMP5 (2010-2015) and beyond.
3.2.3.4
Water Resource Planning
Water companies are now required to produce Water Resource Management Plans (WRMP) on
a statutory basis covering 25 year planning horizons. WRMPs set out how a water company
plans to provide and invest in existing and new water resource schemes (e.g. reservoirs,
desalination) to meet increases in demand for potable supply, as a result of new development,
population growth and climate change over the next 25 years. When complete, the new statutory
WRMPs will be updated in 5 yearly cycles to coincide with the Price Review and AMP process.
Both ST and SSW submitted their draft Water Resources Management Plans (WRMP) to the
Environment Agency in April 2008. These plans have been commented on by the Environment
Agency in a response published on 11th August 2008. A statement of response to the
consultation on the draft WRMP was published by both ST and SSW in February 2009. Both
Water Companies have also now submitted its final WRMPs for the next 25 year period (201035). The final WRMPs are due to be published at the end of July 2009 (subject to approval by
DEFRA). In effect, this will mean that only the findings from the draft WRMPs and the statement
of responses have been incorporated into the Black Country Outline WCS. It may therefore be
necessary to revisit the water resources aspects presented in this report, to incorporate the
findings of the final WRMP as part of the detailed stage of this WCS.
It can therefore be seen that the WCS is crucial to bridging the gap between the LDF timeframe
and the Water Company planning timeframe in terms of strategic planning for new water
resources to meet development.
3.2.3.5
Additional Information
In addition to the legislation and guidance set out in Table 3-1, Table 3-2 and above, the
following studies and reports are relevant to and have been used within the Black Country WCS:
•
EA Catchment Abstraction Management Strategies;
•
Black Country Infrastructure Deficit Study 2004 – 2021 (April 2006);
•
Black Country Habitat Regulations Assessment Final Report (October 2007);
•
Sustainability Appraisal of the Black Country Joint Core Strategy Preferred Options Report
(March 2008));
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3.3
Development of Housing and Employment
The Black Country has a current population of approximately 1,084,000 (2006) with 461,856
6
houses . By 2026 it is predicted that the population within Black Country will be 1,126,500; an
increase of 42,500 population (4%) from the 2006 figures. To accommodate this growth the
West Midlands RSS sets a total of 61,200 new dwellings, and the JCS preferred option raises
this target to 63,035 to 2026.
Currently, the WMRSS incorporates the Phase One Revision, recognising the Black Country
sub-region as vital to the growth strategy for the West Midlands Region as a whole. The Black
Country Sub-Region includes the local authority areas of Dudley, Sandwell, Walsall and
Wolverhampton.
Tables 3.3 to 3.5 are taken directly from the Join Core Strategy Preferred Options Report (2008)
and show housing requirements, Preferred Spatial Strategy housing capacity (by Phase) and
Preferred Spatial Strategy housing capacity by Authority. The key messages from these data
are that 23,505 houses have been built, or are committed as of 2007, leaving a net housing
requirement of 37,695 from 2007 to 2026.
Studies indicate a total net capacity of 39,530 (i.e. a surplus of 1,835), of which Dudley can
accommodate 28%, Sandwell 36%, Walsall 15% and Wolverhampton 21%.
Of the total
capacity of 39,530 houses, 93% are planned in regeneration corridors (including West Bromwich
Centre).
The remainder are planned for Strategic Centres of Dudley, Walsall and
Wolverhampton and additional free standing sites. It should be noted that these figures are
estimated against underlying forecasts of 6,160 total demolitions between 2006 and 2026.
6
Emerging Strategy - RSS Preferred Option - September 2007
Final Report
September 2009
19
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Table 3.3
Black Country Net Housing Requirement 2007-26
Dudley
RSS Phase 2
Requirement 2006 – 2026
(net) Minima
Net Completions and
Conversions 2006/2007
(net)
760
Sites under construction
as of April 2007
518
Sites with Planning
Permission as of April
2007
2,184
UDP / Adopted
Development Plan
Document Allocations as
of April 2007
1,873
Reduction to allow for
nonimplementation of
commitments*
-368
Total completed/
committed capacity
4,967
Remaining net housing
requirement
* Varies by source and authority
(Source: Preferred Options Report, 2008)
Sandwell
Walsall
W’hampton
Black Country
61,200
1,126
672
300
2,858
1,208
900
623
3,249
4,118
3,933
4,492
14,727
1,265
1,308
1,113
5,559
-538
-1,310
-672
-2,888
7,179
5,503
5,856
23,505
37,695
Final Report
September 2009
20
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Table 3.4
Preferred Spatial Strategy - Housing Capacity (2007-26) by Phase
2007-16
Source of capacity
7
Regeneration corridors
RC 2 Stafford Road
RC 3 South of Wolverhampton City Centre
RC 4 Wolverhampton – Bilston
RC 6 Wednesfield/Willenhall/Darlaston
RC 7 Bloxwich/Birchills/Bescot
RC 8 Hill Top
RC 9 Tipton/Dudley Port/Brades Village
RC 10 Pensnett/Kingswinford
RC 11 Dudley: Brierley Hill - Stourbridge
RC 12 Oldbury/West Bromwich/Smethwick
RC 13 Rowley Regis – Jewellery Line
RC 14 Coombs Wood – Halesowen
RC 15 Brownhills
RC 16 Coseley – Tipton – Princes End
Regeneration corridor total
(constrained by 15%)
Free-standing employment sites total
(constrained by 15%)
Strategic centres
SC1: Wolverhampton
SC2: Walsall
SC3: Brierley Hill
Strategic centre total
Housing Demolition Sites
Estimated Housing Demolitions
(2006-26) ¹
Estimated Capacity of Demolition Sites
(2006-26)¹
Estimated net change on Housing
Demolition Sites (2006-26)¹
Total Net Capacity
(Source: Preferred Options Report, 2008)
7
2016-26
2007-26
450
325
600
400
1,120
2,890
2,850
150
2,045
1,400
2,485
100
100
830
930
650
4,000
2,150
680
3,180
3,300
585
3,080
2,270
4,315
400
540
1,705
1,380
975
4,600
2,550
1,800
6,070
6,150
735
5,125
3,670
6,800
500
640
2,535
13,385
23,615
37,000
1,395
1,395
2,790
400
75
1,500
1,975
2,000
425
1,500
3,925
2,400
500
3,000
5,900
-11,425
-14,375
-25,800
7,725
11,915
19,640
-3,700
-2,460
-6,160
13,055
26,475
39,530
NB – RC 5 is not included as it is employment based
Final Report
September 2009
21
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Table 3.5
Preferred Spatial Strategy - Housing Capacity (2007-26) by Authority
Dudley
RC 2 Stafford Road
RC 3 South of Wolverhampton City
RC 4 Wolverhampton – Bilston
RC 6 Wednesfield/Willenhall/Darlaston
RC 7 Bloxwich/Birchills/Bescot
RC 8 Hill Top
RC 9 Tipton/Dudley Port/Brades Village
RC 10 Pensnett/Kingswinford
735
RC 11 Dudley:Brierley Hill - Stourbridge
5,125
RC 12 Oldbury/West Brom/Smethwick
RC 13 Rowley Regis – Jewellery Line
2,020
RC 14 Coombs Wood – Halesowen
500
RC 15 Brownhills
RC 16 Coseley – Tipton – Princes End
890
Regeneration corridor total
(constrained by 15%)
7,880
Free-standing employment sites total
(constrained by 15%)
230
Strategic centres
3,000
Estimated net change on Housing
Demolition Sites (2006- 26)¹
50
Total net capacity
11,160
Completed / committed capacity
4,967
Net Completions (2006-26)
16,127
Estimated Gross Completions
(2006-26)
22,000
(Source: Preferred Options Report, 2008)
Final Report
Sandwell
5,150
6,150
Walsall
W’hampton
1,380
975
4,600
Total
1,380
975
4,600
2,500
1,800
6,070
6,150
735
5,125
3,670
6,790
500
640
2,535
2,550
1,800
920
3,670
4,770
640
1,645
17,540
5,030
5,910
37,000
765
0
1,530
500
265
2,400
2,790
5,900
-4,635
14,310
7,179
21,489
-1,200
5,860
5,503
11,363
-375
8,200
5,856
14,056
-6,160
39,530
23,505
63,035
34,355
15,365
17,115
88,835
September 2009
22
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Table 3.6
Black Country Regeneration Corridors and Free Standing Employment Sites
Existing
Employment
Land (ha)
Housing
Commitments
on
Employment
Land (ha)
Remaining
Employment
Land –
existing
minus
commitments
(ha)
Retained
High Quality
Employment
Land (ha)
Potential
High Quality
Employment
Land (ha)
Retained
Local
Employment
Land/Other
Uses (ha)
New
Housing
(gross ha)
Total Dwellings
(unconstrained)
RC1: Pendeford /
Fordhouses
(Wolverhampton)
74
0
74
27
47
0
0
0
RC2: Stafford Road
(Wolverhampton)
132
18
114
20
47
14
33
1380
206
18
188
47
94
14
33
1380
53
0
53
0
0
28
25
975
358
63.5
294
33
16
143
102
4590
411
63.5
347
33
16
171
127
5565
RC5: Loxdale – Moxley
(Wolverhampton)
58
0
58
0
58
0
0
0
RC5: Loxdale – Moxley
(Walsall)
25
0
25
0
25
0
0
0
RC8: Hill Top (Walsall)
27
4
23
0
0
0
23
920
RC8: Hill Top
(Sandwell)
410
13
397
130
120
44
103
5150
RC9: Tipton – Dudley
Port – Brades Village
(Sandwell)
261
31
230
0
0
55
175
6150
RC12: Oldbury – West
Bromwich – Smethwick
(Sandwell)
550
15
535
65
242
144
84
3670
REGENERATION CORRIDORS
A
B
Total
RC3: South of
Wolverhampton City
Centre
(Wolverhampton)
RC4: Wolverhampton –
Bilston Corridor
(Wolverhampton) –
Option 1
Total
C
Final Report
September 2009
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Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Table 3.6
Black Country Regeneration Corridors and Free Standing Employment Sites
Existing
Employment
Land (ha)
Housing
Commitments
on
Employment
Land (ha)
Remaining
Employment
Land –
existing
minus
commitments
(ha)
Retained
High Quality
Employment
Land (ha)
Potential
High Quality
Employment
Land (ha)
Retained
Local
Employment
Land/Other
Uses (ha)
New
Housing
(gross ha)
Total Dwellings
(unconstrained)
62
0
62
0
0
40
22
890
47
8
47
0
0
0
47
1645
358
63.5
294
33
16
143
102
3500
1798
134.5
1671
228
461
426
556
21925
RC6:Darlaston –
Willenhall – Wednesfield
(Wolverhampton)
143
0
143
27
116
0
0
0
RC6:Darlaston –
Willenhall – Wednesfield
(Walsall) Option 1
287
10
277
8
111
112
46
2550
287
10
277
8
111
85
73
2550
231
18
213
6
0
168
39
1800
REGENERATION CORRIDORS
RC16: Coseley – Tipton
– Princes End (Dudley)
RC16: Coseley – Tipton
– Princes End
(Sandwell)
RC4: Wolverhampton –
Bilston Corridor
(Wolverhampton) –
Option 2
Total
D
E
RC6:Darlaston –
Willenhall – Wednesfield
(Walsall) Option 2
RC7: Bloxwich –
Birhcalls – Bescot
(Walsall)
Total
948
38
910
49
338
365
158
6900
RC10: Pensnett –
Kingswinford (Dudley)
157
0
157
0
94
42
21
735
RC11: Dudley – Brierley
Hill – Stourbridge
(Dudley)
305
0
305
0
102
76
127
5125
Final Report
September 2009
24
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Table 3.6
Black Country Regeneration Corridors and Free Standing Employment Sites
Existing
Employment
Land (ha)
Housing
Commitments
on
Employment
Land (ha)
Remaining
Employment
Land –
existing
minus
commitments
(ha)
Retained
High Quality
Employment
Land (ha)
Potential
High Quality
Employment
Land (ha)
Retained
Local
Employment
Land/Other
Uses (ha)
New
Housing
(gross ha)
Total Dwellings
(unconstrained)
RC13: Rowley Regis –
Jewellery Line
(Sandwell)
155
5
150
0
0
44
106
4770
RC13: Rowley Regis –
Jewellery Line (Dudley)
64
2
62
0
0
12
50
2020
RC14: Coombs Wood –
Halesowen (Dudley)
110
0
110
77
0
20
13
500
791
7
784
77
196
194
317
13150
65
0
65
20
0
29
16
640
0
33
0
0
26
7
275
REGENERATION CORRIDORS
Total
F
RC15: Brownhills
(Walsall)
FREE STANDING EMPLOYMENT SITES
Town Centres
Dudley
33
Sandwell
20
0
20
0
0
2
18
900
Walsall
221
25
196
8
8
135
45
1800
Wolverhampton
(Option A)
47
0
47
0
0
38
9
315
Wolverhampton
(Option B)
47
0
47
0
0
8
39
1350
All Free Standing
(Option A)
321
25
296
8
8
201
79
3290
All Free Standing
(Option B)
321
25
296
8
8
171
109
4325
Total (Option 1/A)
3867
195.5
3671
421
986
1172
1092
45745
Total (Option 2/B)
3867
195.5
3671
421
986
1115
1149
45800
Final Report
September 2009
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Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
4
Water Resources and Water Supply Baseline
Assessment
4.1
Introduction
This assessment covers the existing baseline with respect to available water resources and
where the raw water to supply the new development may be sourced. It also considers the
important role which water efficiency can play in order to reduce the demand for new
resources.
There are two water and sewerage undertakers (provider of services) which serve the Black
Country. ST provides the water services for Wolverhampton and sewerage services for the
bulk of properties within the Black Country. SSW provides water services only for the
population centres of Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall.
ST is the second largest water and sewerage company within England and Wales, supplying
-1
around 2,000 mega litres per day (Mld ) and taking away this amount of wastewater from its
3.3 million customers.
SSW is one of the larger water only providers in England and Wales, supplying around 325
-1
Mld to customer base of 1.3 million.
As both these water companies are monopoly supplier of services in their area, these
businesses operate under a regulated environment with the EA, OFWAT (the economic
regulator) and the DWI (the Drinking Water Inspectorate) controlling their activities. It is the
responsibility of these organisations ensure that both ST and SSW operate as efficient water
and sewerage companies, and at the same time that they maintain (or where practical
improve) the wider environment in which the Companies operate.
4.2
Available Data
The principal sources of data assessed within this review are as follows:
•
ST’s and SSW’s draft Water Resources Management Plan (WRMP) (ST 2008,
SSW 2008);
•
ST’s (2009) and SSW’s (2009) draft WRMP – Statement of Response to
Consultation (ST 2009, SSW 2009);
•
EA’s representation on ST’s and SSW’s draft WRMP (EA, 2008c and 2008d);
•
the location of the existing sources of raw water supply across the Black Country,
including licensed daily abstraction and annual maximum abstraction limits, and
approximate locations of storage reservoirs; and
•
EA Catchment Abstraction Management Plans (CAMS) (EA 2008e, 2003 and
2006).
Final Report
September 2009
26
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
4.3 Regional Water Resources: Existing Situation
The local water resources are replenished by an average annual rainfall (1961-1990) of
approximately 754mm falling across the Black Country. This figure compares with an
average figure for England and Wales of 895mm (EA/DEFRA 2008f).
Evaporation from vegetation reduces this amount by approximately 450mm a year, to give
around 300mm per annum of ‘effective rainfall’ to replenish aquifers and to maintain river
flows. The recharge of aquifers is an important mechanism for providing feeds to
groundwater-fed ecosystems and wetland habitats. This is aligned with the government policy
to maximise Sustainable Urban Drainage Systems (SUDS) where possible and practical (see
Section 11.2).
In drought years, such as occurred in 1996, the rainfall across the ST Region can be as low
as 600mm, which reduces the amount of ‘effective rainfall’ to around 150mm. The climate
gradient from west to east and from north to south is accentuated across the region. The
region’s water supply is sourced from two main sources:
•
Surface Water Abstraction (rivers and reservoirs) – 60%; and
•
Groundwater Abstraction – 40%.
In the case of both ST and SSW, the relative proportions derived from surface water and
groundwater is similar to the above figures (see Section4.4.1).
4.4 The Black Country - Water Resource Baseline
Assessment
According to the EA, the Black Country lies within an area of moderate water stress.
The EA manages water resources at the local level through the use of Catchment Abstraction
Management Plans (CAMS). The Black Country lies partly within the Worcestershire Middle
Severn CAMS (EA, 2006), Severn Corridor CAMS (EA, 2003) and the Tame, Anker and
Mease CAMS (EA, 2008).
Within the CAMS, the EA’s assessment of the availability of water resources is based on a
classification system that allocates a resource availability status indicating:
•
the relative balance between the environmental requirements for water and how
much is licensed for abstraction;
•
whether water is available for further abstraction; and
•
areas where abstraction needs to be reduced.
The categories of resource availability status are shown in Table 4-1. The classification is
based on an assessment of a river system’s ecological sensitivity to abstraction-related flow
reduction. This classification can then be used to assess the potential for additional water
resource abstractions.
Final Report
September 2009
27
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Table 4-1: CAMS Resource Availability Status Categories
Indicative Resource
Availability Status
Water Available
License Availability
Water is likely to be available at all flows including low flows.
Restrictions may apply.
No Water Available
No water is available for further licensing at low flows. Water may be
available at higher flows with appropriate restrictions.
Over Licensed
Current actual abstraction is such that no water is available at low
flows. If existing licences were used to their full allocation they could
cause unacceptable environmental damage at low flows. Water may
be available at high flows, with appropriate restrictions.
Over Abstracted
Existing abstraction is causing unacceptable damage to the
environment at low flows. Water may still be available at high flows,
with appropriate restrictions.
The classification for each of the catchments within the Black Country are shown in Table
4-2.
Table 4-2: CAMS Resources within the Black Country Catchment Areas
WRMU/GWMU
Name
WRMU1 –
Fluvial Trent and
tributaries1
WRMU4 River Worfe to River
Stour confluence
2
(AP14)
WRMU2 –
Stour, Worfe &
Salwarpe3
Associated
Main River
Resource Availability Status
Individual
WRMU Status
Integrated
WRMU Status
Target Status
in 2012/13
Target Status
in 2018/19
Rivers Trent,
Greet &
Devon and
Diseworth
Sherwood
Sandstone
Group
GWMU
Water Available
Water Available
Water Available
Water Available
Severn
No Water
Available
No Water
Available
No Water
Available
No Water
Available
Stour, Worfe
& Salwarpe
Over Abstracted
Over Abstracted
Over Abstracted
Over Abstracted
Stour, Worfe
Over Abstracted
Over Abstracted
Over Abstracted
Over Abstracted
& Salwarpe
Key: Integrated WRMU status in table refers to the availability status after downstream conditions have been taken into
account and/or, in the case of groundwater, the status of an overlying river.
1
Tame, Anker and Mease CAMS
2
Severn Corridor CAMS
3
Worcester Middle Severn CAMS
GWMU3
4.4.1
Abstraction Sources
Local water resources are used to supply public drinking water and maintain sufficient water
for agriculture, industry and the natural environment. There are both surface water and
groundwater resources.
Final Report
September 2009
28
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
4.4.1.1
Surface Water Abstraction
SSW abstracts water from two surface water sources; Blithfield Reservoir and River Severn.
ST also abstracts water from the River Severn. In both cases, about 60% of their water
supply is obtained from surface water sources.
The Blithfield Reservoir is an impoundment reservoir with a capacity of approximately 18,224
Ml/d of water. It was formed in 1953 by the construction of a dam across the River Blithe, to
the north of the Black Country and River Trent.
The River Severn is the other principal source of surface water, which lies approximately
15km at its closest point from the Black Country’s western boundary. Both SSW and ST
abstract water at Hampton Loade on the River Severn to supply South Staffordshire area
(SSW) and Wolverhampton (ST).
The surface water abstractions from the River Severn are supported by releases from upland
reservoirs, such as Clywedog Reservoir and Lake Vyrnwy (both in mid-Wales). Further
discussion of the support provided to the River Severn is included in section 4.4.1.3.
4.4.1.2
Groundwater Abstraction
SSW abstracts from around 60 boreholes in the Sherwood Sandstone Aquifer of the
Staffordshire Basin (most of which lies outside the Black Country boundary area). On
average there are three boreholes at each groundwater site. The Sherwood Sandstone,
which forms a ring around the edge of Black Country has large water storage capacity within
the structure of this strata and it does not tend to react rapidly to periods of low rainfall.
Therefore, it gives a relatively reliable and constant supply of water. SSW abstracts
approximately 40% of its supply from these groundwater sources.
ST also abstracts from groundwater sources, mainly from the Sherwood Sandstone Aquifer
within the Staffordshire Basin. In total, there are about 20 sources operated by ST in the
Black Country area (information provided by the EA).
In addition to these public water supply abstractions, there also numerous private
abstractions from groundwater to support industry, agriculture and private domestic supplies.
4.4.1.3
Shropshire Groundwater Scheme
Groundwater is also used by the EA to support abstractions from the River Severn. This
scheme known as the Shropshire Groundwater Scheme involves abstracting from the
Sandstone aquifer which lies to the north of Telford and using this water to support both the
River Tern and River Severn. The system has huge potential to support these rivers in the
future, although only a small part of this resource is used at the present time. The EA, who
operate this Groundwater Scheme, have undertaken a number of studies in recent years to
look at the effects on environmentally sensitive habitats, the reduction in the availability of soil
moisture to agricultural crops and trees.
Final Report
September 2009
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Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
4.5 Water Supply - Existing Capacity
The Black Country lies within the operational areas of both ST and SSW. ST provides
supplies to Wolverhampton in the northwest corner of the Black Country and parts of the
southwest corner around Stourbridge and Halesowen. These areas all lie within ST’s Severn
(WRZ 3). SSW provides water supplies to the population centres of Dudley, Sandwell and
Walsall.
SSW’s supply system (see Figure 4.1) – raw water is taken out of the Blithfield Reservoir and
fed through a pipeline to the Water Treatment Works (WTW) at Seedy Mill near Lichfield (just
outside the northeast boundary of the Black Country), before going into the distribution
network around Walsall. Raw water taken from the River Severn at Hampton Loade, is
stored in the Chelmarsh Reservoir (a bank-side storage reservoir situated in Shropshire)
before being treated and distributed into network around Wolverhampton, Dudley and
Sandwell. In general, the groundwater fed WTWs are generally smaller, as the amount of
water treatment required for groundwater is generally less than for surface water, and are
more widely distributed around the area of Sherwood Sandstone outcrop.
Figure 4.1: South Staffordshire Water Supply Area and Black Country Study Area8
8
SSW, 2008
Final Report
September 2009
30
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
ST’s Supply system is again a mixture of surface water (from the River Severn) and
groundwater (from the Sherwood Sandstone Aquifer). ST’s abstraction at Hampton Loade
and Trimpley/Strensham on the River Severn provides supplies for their WRZ3 – Severn
(shown in green in Figure 4.2).
South Staffs
Water Area
Black Country
Study Area
9
Figure 4.2: Location of Water Resource Zones around the Black Country
4.5.1
Water Resource Management Plans – ST and SSW
As part of a water company’s business planning process (AMP), each water company is
required to prepare a plan showing how the growth in demand over the next 25 years will be
met. Both ST and SSW prepared a draft WRMP in April 2008. Updates to these plans have
now been produced in a Statement of Response to the consultation on the draft WRMP, and
following the EA’s response to the draft plans published in July 2008. The updates were
published by both ST and SSW in March 2009 and these are likely to closely match the final
WRMP which are due to be published shortly (subject to approval by Defra).
4.5.1.1
Severn Trent Water’s WRMP
ST’s draft WRMP indicates a supply/demand shortfall within the Severn WRZ (3) over the
entire planning period through to 2035. In the latest update (March 2009), the impacts of
climate change on deployable output gives more severe results (i.e. greater shortfalls) than in
the draft WRMP. Although there has been some reduction in the demand, brought about the
recent down-turn, the overall net effect of these changes in the projected supply/demand
-1
shortfall is around 120 Mld . As a result, ST is now proposing resources schemes (mainly
groundwater) and demand management measures within this WRZ. The precise timing of
these schemes will be included in the final WRMP.
9
ST, 2008
Final Report
September 2009
31
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
The situation with regards to water resources has been confirmed in an e-mail sent by Steve
Southern (ST) on 30th March 2009.
The parts of the Black Country lying within the Severn WRZ are the areas around
Wolverhampton and also southwest corner of the Black Country around Stourbridge and
Halesowen.
4.5.1.2
South Staffordshire Water’s WRMP
The latest SSW draft WRMP shows only modest changes to various components of the
supply/demand balance. Overall, the Company has sufficient resources to meet the forecast
10
growth in demand plus target headroom for both the annual average and peak week
conditions throughout the plan period to 2035. The surplus of resources means that there is
no requirement for either supply-side or demand side interventions other than those included
in the draft WRMP (mainly demand management measure – see Section 4.5.3).
This healthy situation means that those parts of Black Country supplied by SSW i.e. Walsall,
Dudley and Sandwell should all have sufficient resources to meet the planned growth for
these areas.
4.5.2
Forecast Growth in Demands
In general, ST and SSW have both assumed the growth contained within the RSSs, in this
case the West Midlands RSS, as the basis for forecasting the growth in their areas. The
Black Country Preferred Options Report contains growth figures which are slightly above
those contained within the WMRSS and these have been used in this study. The sections
below contain estimates of both the residential and non-residential demands forecast for the
Black Country.
It should be noted that following the Preferred Options Report, and since the analysis of
growth figures in this report was carried out, the Publication Core Strategy growth figures are
now the same as those in the WMRSS. As a result, the development growth figures tested in
the WCS and SWMP are slightly higher, however, this should have a negligible impact on the
results.
4.5.2.1
Residential Demands
The estimates in growth from residential demand for the different parts of Black Country are
included in Table 4-3.
To calculate these demands, it is necessary to multiply the number of new homes by the
average occupancy rate (OR) and by the average water use per person. In the case of the
Black Country, then the two Water Companies, ST and SSW have slightly different metered
water uses, although the OR for both companies is similar at 2.3. The average water
-1 -1
consumption rates figures used are 115 litres/head/day (lh d ) in the case of ST customers,
-1 -1
and 127 lh d for SSW customers.
In addition to the water company forecast (Scenario 1), three other scenarios have been
included based on the Code for Sustainable Homes (CSH), which provides a system of
10
Headroom is the minimum buffer that a prudent water company should add to demand to cater for specified uncertainties, such
as the under-estimating certain parameters, as well as taking account of the uncertainties from climate change.
Final Report
September 2009
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Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
credits for all new buildings depending on their level of water efficiency of 120, 105 and 80 lh
d – Scenarios 2, 3 and 4 respectively.
-
1 -1
Table 4-3 shows that for the water company forecast (Scenario 1), the total residential water
-1
demand for the Black Country up to 2026 would be 18 Mld . Broken down into the individual
-1
population centres, then the demands are highest in the Sandwell area (6.3 Mld ) and lowest
-1
-1
in the Walsall area (3.3 Mld ), although the Wolverhampton area (3.7 Mld ) is broadly
similar. It should be remembered that Wolverhampton, which lies within ST’s Severn WRZ,
has sizeable supply/demand shortfalls (see Section 4.5.1.1).
Using the CSH estimates of water consumption, the total residential l water demands would
-1
-1 -1
-1
vary from 11.6 Mld (Scenario 4 – CSH Level 5/6, 80 lh d ) to 17.4 Mld (Scenario 2 – CSH
-1 -1
Level 1/2, 120 lh d ) by 2026.
Final Report
September 2009
33
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Table 4-3: Residential Water Demands in the Black Country
Development Areas
Water Co.
Nos. dwellings
(JCS Preferred
Option)
Water Company
Forecast
Scenario 1
-1
Code for
Code for
Sustainable Homes Sustainable Homes
Rating 1/2
Rating 3/4
120 lh-1d-1
105 lh-1d-1
Scenario 2
1
-1 *2
(Mld ) *
Wolverhampton
Walsall
Dudley
Sandwell
Black Country Total
ST
SSW
SSW
SSW
Scenario 3
-1 *3
Code for
Sustainable
Homes
Rating 5/6
-1 -1
80 lh d
Scenario 4
-1 *4
(Mld )
(Mld )
(Mld )
Range of
Estimates
Min (Col 8)
Range of
Estimates
Max (Col 5)
Scenario 4
Scenario 1
-1
-1
(Mld )
(Mld )
14,056
11,363
16,127
21489
3.72
3.32
4.71
6.28
3.88
3.14
4.45
5.93
3.39
2.74
3.89
5.19
2.59
2.09
2.97
3.95
2.59
2.09
2.97
3.95
3.72
3.32
4.71
6.28
63,035
18.02
17.40
15.22
11.60
11.60
18.02
*1
Assuming 115 l/h/d supplied for ST areas and 127 l/h/d for SSW areas. In both cases occupancy rate of 2.3
assumed (OFWAT 2007-08)
*2
Code for Sustainable Homes - Water consumption targets for Code 1/2 homes and an assuming occupancy
rate of 2.3
(OFWAT 2007-08)
*3
Code for Sustainable Homes - Water consumption targets for Code 3/4 homes
*4
Code for Sustainable Homes - Water consumption targets for Code 5/6 homes
Final Report
September 2009
34
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
4.5.2.2
Non-Residential Demands
In addition to the increased residential demand, the JCS also refers to growth in employment
(jobs) within the Black Country. Limited information is available on the location and type of
employment to be created and therefore any estimates of non-residential demand should be
considered provisional at this stage.
The UK Water Industry has traditionally used complex econometric forecasting models to
assess what may happen to the demands from industry in the future. For the Black Country
WCS, Scott Wilson has based its estimates of non-residential demand on the relationship
which exists between non-residential and residential water demands as reported by OFWAT.
In the case of ST, the non-residential metered demand is around 58% of the residential
metered demand, while for SSW it is 66%. A pragmatic figure of 60% has been used for
these calculations. Assuming the Black Country to be similar to the wider areas served by
ST and SSW, then the non-residential demand will be approximately 6/10th of the residential
demand.
Based on these assumptions, Table 4-4 shows the total non-residential demand for the Black
-1
Country up to 2026 would be 10.8 Mld (Scenario 1, water company forecast).
Apportionment of this amount into the individual population centres would indicate that largest
growth in the non-residential demand would come from the Sandwell area (4.18 Ml/d), whilst
the growth the other three areas is roughly similar at between 2.1 and 2.3 Ml/d.
4.5.2.3
Total Water Demands
Table 4-5 shows the combined residential and non-residential demand figures for the Black
Country. Based on the Water Company forecast consumption figures (Scenario 1), the total
-1
demand figure up to 2026 would be 28.48 Mld . In the case of the maximum (Scenario 2 –
-1 -1
-1 -1
CSH 1/2 120 lh d ) and minimum (Scenario 4 – CSH 5/6 80 lh d ), the total water demand
figures are 28.8 Ml/d and 18.6 Ml/d respectively.
It should be noted that none of these estimates include any allowance for headroom. If an
allowance for an additional 10% is added to the demand figures given above, then this would
raise the total water demand figures up to 2026 for the maximum (Scenario 1) and minimum
-1
-1
(Scenario 4) estimates of 31.72 Mld and 20.42 Mld respectively.
Section 4.5.2.1 explains which of the scenarios above uses the water companies’
assumptions.
Final Report
September 2009
35
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Table 4-4 Non-residential Water Demand in the Black Country
Development Areas
Water Co.
Wolverhampton
Walsall
ST
SSW
Dudley
Sandwell
Black Country Total
SSW
SSW
Nos. Dwellings
(JCS Preferred
Option)
14,056
11,363
16,127
21489
63,035
Water Company Estimate of Water
Weighting based on
Development Area
Forecast (see Col to be supplied for
Development Area
(Non-Residential)
4 - Table 4-3)
Non-Residential
(Non-Residential)
Scenario 1
Scenario 1
Scenario 1
Scenario 1
-1
-1 2
3
-1
(Mld )
(Mld )*
Hectares (ha)*
(Mld )
3.72
736
2.16
3.32
799
2.34
4.71
729
2.13
6.28
1429
4.18
18.02
10.81
3693
10.81
*1
Assuming 115 l/h/d supplied for ST areas and 127 l/h/d for SSW area. In both cases an occupancy rate of 2.3
assumed (OFWAT Report 2007-08)
Non-residential demand assumed to be 60% of total metered supply (OFWAT 2007-08) [Approx average of ST
58% and SSW 66%]. Note demand estimated on ST forecast (115 l/h/d)
*3
Development areas based on
*2
Table 4-5 Total Water Demand in the Black Country
Development Areas
Water Co.
Total Supply (Residential & Range of Estimates Range of Estimates
Non-residential)
Minimum
Maximum
Scenario 1
*1
(Ml/d)
Scenario 4
*2
(Ml/d)
Scenario 1
*2
(Ml/d)
Wolverhampton
ST
5.87
4.74
6.03
Walsall
SSW
5.66
4.43
5.48
Dudley
SSW
6.85
5.10
6.59
Sandwell
SSW
10.46
8.14
10.12
Black Country Total
28.84
18.56
28.84
*1
Total Supply based on the respective WC’s forecast for a residential metered customer (See Table 6.3) and
non-residential estimate based on assuming 60% of residential metered figure (see Table 6.4)
*2
The maximum and minimum ranges are based on the different estimates of demand contained in Table 6.3 and
with an additional 60% for non-residential demand being added to each column.
*3
Allowance for headroom in-line with WCS Methodology (4/6/08) [+10%]
Final Report
Including an
allowance for
headroom
Scenario 4
*3
(Ml/d)
5.22
4.87
5.61
8.95
20.42
Including an
allowance for
headroom
Scenario 1
*3
(Ml/d)
6.64
6.02
7.24
11.13
31.72
September 2009
36
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
4.5.3
Water Efficiency
4.5.3.1
Current Situation
A comparison with average water use by different groups of ST and SSW is shown in Table
4-6.
Table 4-6 Summary of Water Usage by ST & SSW Customers
ST Customers
-1 -1
(lh d )
Metered
115
Un-metered
141
Overall
133
Source: OFWAT Report 2007-08
Customer Type
SSW Customers
-1 -1
(lh d )
127
148
144
ST has one of the lowest metered consumption figures of any UK Water Company, at 115 lh1 -1
d (OFWAT report 2007-08). This compares with an industry average for Water and
-1 -1
Sewerage Companies of 131 lh d . By comparison, SSW metered customers use
-1 -1
approximately 127 lh d , which is just a bit below the water only companies average of 133
-1 -1
lh d .
In terms of the levels of meter penetration, then this presently stands at 28% in the case of
ST and 19% in SSW.
The current levels of leakage as reported by the two companies are 26% in the case of ST
and 23% in SSW, as a proportion of the water put into supply (based on 2007/08).
4.5.3.2
Future Water Efficiency Plans (WEP)
Severn Trent’s WEP
A summary of ST’s water efficiency measures included in their draft WRMP (2008) are as
follows;
Water Metering – ST are actively encouraging customers to opt for a water meter. No targets
have been set for 2020, but 66% are assumed to be metered by 2035.
•
Tariffs – no changes are planned.
•
Water Efficiency – Good practice guidance is followed where possible (OFWAT 2006).
•
Leakage – ST are proposing to operate at below the Economic Level of Leakage
in their areas of most stressed areas, which includes the Black Country.
11
(ELL)
ST’s Statement of Response has incorporated the most recent evidence which predicts a
greater uptake of the free meter option to take place between 2010 and 2015, and also in the
longer term. Until the final WRMP has been published, which is subject to approval by
DEFRA, there will be no further details available. The statement of response also mentions
that the trial to install a meter on a ‘change of occupier’ which was earmarked just for WRZ 2
11
Economic Level of Leakage - The level of leakage for which the cost of achieving and then maintaining that level is exactly
offset by savings in capital and operating costs.
Final Report
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37
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
(Staffordshire and East Shropshire), will now instead be applied more widely across the ST
area, including the WRZ 3 (Severn).
South Staffordshire Water’s WEP
A summary of SSW’s water efficiency measures are included in their draft WRMP (SSW,
2008), their Strategic Direction Statement and Statement of Response to the consultation on
WRMP:
4.5.4
•
Water Metering – SSW are hoping to achieve 70-75% meter penetration by 2025/26 and
79% by 2035/36. This will be achieved mainly through the installation of meters on a
change of occupier.
•
Tariffs – the company’s Strategic Direction Statement refers to ‘seasonal tariffs’ being
envisaged, although this would require ‘smart meters’ (meters which can be read
remotely) to be installed.
•
Water Efficiency – SSW’s actively promotes reductions in water use and encourages
wastage reductions. Cistern devices have been distributed to all properties which have
recently had a water meter installed. A trial has also taken place of the provision of a free
water butt, in a situation where a home has a change of occupier and which results in a
water meter being installed.
•
Leakage – the company’s leakage levels (72 Mld , OFWAT report 2007-08) are currently
just below the ELL (ELL reappraised at 74 Mld-1 for the final WRMP). Whilst it will be
difficult to maintain leakage at this level with an increasing network, SSW has made a
commitment to work towards achieving this (SSW, 2009).
-1
Code for Sustainable Homes
The Code for Sustainable homes sets out the maximum water usage permitted for each code
level. This provides a flexible outline for improving the overall sustainability of a house. Table
4-7 outlines the water efficiency that needs to be achieved to reach each of the sustainable
levels.
The examples of water efficiency measures include in are an outline of the possible ways to
improve water efficiency. There are many more possibilities that are site specific. Many of
these are shown in the OFWAT water efficiency initiatives for water and sewerage companies
and it is recommended that these are assessed and considered for inclusion in new
development as part of the Stage 2 strategy as the preferred options for development come
forward. Other steps which should be considered in new builds include: rainwater harvesting
from roofs and paved areas (through the use of permeable surfaces); grey water recycling
(with some mains support) which can provide enough water to run all toilets, a washing
machine and outside taps.
Final Report
September 2009
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Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Table 4-7: Code for Sustainable Homes – Water consumption targets for the different code
levels and examples of how these targets can be attained in new build
Code for sustainable
Maximum amount of
Examples of how to achieve water
homes levels.
water (litres per
efficiency level.
person per day)
1
Install efficient equipment within the home –
120
18l max volume dishwasher and 60l max
2
volume washing machine. Install 4/6l dual flush
120
toilets. Install 6-9l/min showers. Educate users
about how to be efficient water users.
Installation of water meters.
3
105
As above. Install flow regulators into
bathrooms and kitchens. To reduce flow rate of
4
taps to 3 l/min and showers to a maximum flow
105
rate of 6 l/min. Specify ‘low volume’ baths with
the levels of overflow pipes at lower than
normal levels to prevent over-filling.
5
80
6
80
As above, in addition: Grey water recycling for
toilet flushing. Provide water audits for people
to show them where they can reduce water
usage.
New developments offer the opportunity to work towards a much higher level of water
efficiency, the eco-towns water cycle worksheet shows examples of where community
schemes have been used as a way to improve efficiency for example, through the collection
and supply of rainwater for use in toilets; these kind of initiatives could be considered for the
Black Country on a strategic scale to further reduce water demand.
4.5.4.1
Water Neutrality
Water Neutrality is an aim for any development, (new housing or new employment) to ensure
that development should not lead to an overall rise in demand for water. In reality, some
‘clean’ water will always be required for drinking water supplies. The ‘key’ to sustainable
development is through a combination of water efficiency measures (as described above)
and SUDS (Sustainable Drainage Systems) techniques to try and reduce the impact on the
environment. Examples of SUDS techniques which may reduce the impact, include rainwater
harvesting (e.g. water butts) and grey water recycling (e.g. drain water from showers, baths
and sinks) to help reduce impacts. This could be a long term goal for the Black Country
Authorities to consider adopting.
Table 4-8 contains Scott Wilson’s initial assessment of the potential benefits from adopting a
Water Neutrality position on all future residential development within the Black Country.
The principles behind this assessment are that within the Black Country water savings
equivalent to the amount of extra demand generated by the 63,000 new homes would need
Final Report
September 2009
39
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
to be met from a reduction of water usage by existing households. Bearing in mind that
metered customers are one of the lowest users already of water (at least amongst ST
customers), then the main savings would be most likely from existing non-metered
customers. The estimate of the number of homes without a water meter is 332,000 across
the Black Country. The average water saving required by each existing property has been
-1 -1
-1 -1
calculated as 54 litres/property/day (lp d ) (or equivalent to 22 lh d based on an average
occupancy rate of 2.45 for this group of customers).
The savings outlined above would require a reduction in current water usage rates from
-1 -1
-1 -1
-1 -1
around 141 lh d to 120 lh d in the ST area (Wolverhampton) and from 148 lh d to 126
-1 -1
lh d in SSW area (Walsall, Dudley and Sandwell). In the case of both ST and SSW, this
would bring the water usage rates amongst their un-metered customers down to levels
equivalent to those used by metered customers (see Table 4-6). These water usage rates
are also equivalent to just above the level required in order for dwellings to meet the CSH
-1 -1
Standard Level 1/2 (120 lh d ).
It is Scott Wilson’s view that these are realistically achievable targets for the Black Country
Authorities to aim for in its WCS.
Final Report
September 2009
40
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
Table 4-8 Summary of Water Neutrality Calculations
Development
Areas
Water
Co.
Nos.
Dwellings
(JCS
Preferred
Option)
14,056
11,363
16,127
21,489
Water Company
Forecast
-1
Scenario 1 (Mld )
1
*
Nos. of
Existing
Dwellings
(2006)
Nos.
dwellings
without a
water
meter
74,227
76,454
94,268
87,587
Average
Savings
per
Property
-1 -1
(lp d )
50.09
43.41
49.97
71.66
Average
Saving per
Person
(lh-1d-1)
Target
Water
Use Rate
Closest CSH Standard
to be achieved
Wolverhampton
ST
3.72
103,093
20.87
120
Level 1/2
Walsall
SSW
3.32
106,186
17.36
131
Above Level 1/2
Dudley
SSW
4.71
130,928
19.99
128
Above Level 1/2
Sandwell
SSW
6.28
121,649
28.66
119
Just below Level 1/2
Black Country
63,035
18.02
461,856
332,536
54.20
22.12
122
Just above Level 1/2
Total
*1
-1 -1
-1 -1
Assuming 115 lh d supplied for ST areas and 127 lh d for SSW areas. In both cases occupancy rate of 2.3 assumed (OFWAT 2007-08)
Water Company
ST
SSW
% without water meter
72%
81%
Occupancy Rates (un-metered customers)
2.4
2.5
Water consumption (un-metered households) l/h/d
141
148
Final Report
September 2009
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Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
4.5.5
Environmental Baseline – Source Protection Zones and Groundwater
Vulnerability
4.5.5.1
Source Protection Zones (SPZ)
The quality of groundwater aquifers is determined by the level and nature of surface pollutants
permitted to reach them. The EA has established and enforces groundwater Source Protection
Zones (SPZs) to protect groundwater sources such as wells, boreholes and springs used for
public drinking water and commercial food and drink production. There are currently over thirty
SPZs within the Black Country. The Inner SPZ (red) and Outer SPZ (green) have different
shapes and sizes depending on the condition of the ground, how the groundwater is removed
and other local environmental factors. The total catchment areas (blue) needed to support the
removal of water from the source tend merge into one large area that matches closely with the
areas of Major Aquifer (see Section 4.5.5.2).
4.5.5.2
Groundwater Vulnerability
Groundwater resources are vulnerable to contamination from both direct sources (into
groundwater) or indirect sources (e.g. infiltration of discharges from overlying land). Groundwater
vulnerability within the Black Country has been determined by the EA based on a review of
aquifer characteristics, local geology and the vulnerability of soils. The classification divides the
area up into three categories; Major Aquifer, Minor Aquifer and Non-aquifer. The Sherwood
Sandstone Aquifer which forms a ring around the edge of the Black Country is classified as a
Major Aquifer. The central part of Staffordshire Basin containing older Carboniferous age
formations is classified as a Minor Aquifer.
The vulnerability of the groundwater is important when advising on the suitability of SUDS (see
section 7.1.1). In general, development sites which take place on Major Aquifers tend to provide
more options in terms of being able to return surface runoff back to ground, than is the case with
either Minor Aquifers or Non-aquifers. Developments on Major Aquifers do however need to be
mindful of the impacts which they may pose to groundwater and which may in turn affect the
public water supply sources. Site specific hydrogeological assessments should be carried out on
all development sites situated on Major Aquifers.
4.5.6
Potential Risks to Water Supplies
Potential risks to water company supplies which may affect the Black Country, include;
•
Review of Consents process – this relates to investigations being undertaken by the EA on
various abstractions and their impacts on designated sites. SSW has three groundwater
abstractions under investigation at Hagley, Churchill and Ashwood in South Staffordshire.
12
Reductions in Deployable Output (DO) may be required in all three cases and this would
12
Deployable Output - The output of a commissioned source or group of sources or of bulk supply as constrained by the following for
specified conditions and demands:
• environment
• licence, if applicable
• pumping plant and/or well/aquifer properties
• raw water mains and/or aqueducts
• transfer and/or output main
• treatment
• water quality
Final Report
September 2009
42
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
reduce the amount of headroom available to meet future growth. ST also has a number of
sites under investigation and they have made a commitment not to include any new water
resource investment options that could impact on those sites still under investigation by this
process.
4.6
•
Climate Change (CC) – 60% of water supplies for the Black Country come from surface
water which will be affected by climate change. Groundwater sources are generally less
affected by climate change. Under the mid-range CC scenario, the reduction in SSW’s
-1
average DO would be less than 1% (or around a 2-3 Mld reduction from its River Severn
and Blithfield Reservoir sources). In the case of ST, surface water impacts are again the
most significant, with the Statement of Response (SSW, 2009) indicating an even greater
impact from CC than was originally forecast in the draft WRMP. Under the mid-range CC
-1
scenario, ST’s reduction in their average DO would be around 64 Mld within the Severn
WRZ (equivalent to a 10% reduction in DO). The effects of climate change are also taken
into account in their water demands and headroom calculations undertaken for the final
WRMP.
•
Groundwater quality within aquifers – this is a major concern to ST, who predicts that
increasing nitrate concentrations will mean many groundwater sources will no longer be
suitable for water supplies. A failure to fund and implement a series of AMP5 schemes to
treat and blend high nitrate water could mean further increases in the supply/demand gap, in
addition to the sizeable deficits already identified within the Severn WRZ (see Section
4.5.1.1). As part of its commitment to the Water Framework Directive River Basin
Management Plans, ST is also proposing to implement catchment solutions instead of and in
parallel to treatment solutions, for both nitrate and other water quality problems. This will
involve working closely with NE to manage catchments to reduce the need for higher levels
of treatment in future.
•
Water supply resilience – all new (and existing) water supplies should be resilient, whereby if
the standard means of water provision is interrupted (be that from physical or chemical
mechanisms) then there are alternative means by which supplies of potable water can be
maintained. In general, the Black Country water supply system is well connected, allowing
the re-distribution of potable water. This is something which must be incorporated into the
design of any new development areas which are being proposed within the Black Country.
Water Resources and Water Supply Summary
The overall picture indicates:
•
The proportion of water supplies for the Black Country coming from surface water and
groundwater sources is roughly 60:40.
•
In general, the CAMS document for the area show the River Severn to either have ‘No Water
Available’ or ‘Over-abstracted’ (in the Rivers Stour, Worfe and Salwarpe, and associated
groundwater bodies).
Final Report
September 2009
43
Black Country Authorities
Black Country Water Cycle Study and Scoping Surface Water Management Plan
13
•
The EA assessed the Black Country as lying within an area of moderate water stress .
•
The Black Country is served by two water companies, ST and SSW. The parts of the Black
Country lying within ST’s Severn WRZ 3 are the areas around Wolverhampton and also
southwest corner of the Black Country around Stourbridge and Halesowen. SSW provides
water only services for the four population centres of Dudley, Sandwell and Walsall.
•
ST’s draft WRMP indicates a supply/demand shortfall within the Severn WRZ 3 over the
entire planning period through to 2035. Their final WRMP is due to be published shortly
(subject to DEFRA’s approval) is likely to indicate a worsening position in terms of deficits
once the latest effects of Climate Change are included. As a result, ST is now proposing
resources schemes (mainly groundwater) and demand management measures within
WRZ 3.
•
In the case of SSW, their position is one of having sufficient resources to meet the forecast
growth in demand plus target headroom for both the annual average and peak week
conditions throughout the plan period to 2035. Demand management measures are
therefore all that will be required by SSW.
•
ST and SSW have both assumed the growth contained within the WMRSS, JCS growth
figures are slightly above those contained with the RSS.
•
Under the proposed JCS and based on Water Company consumption figures (Scenario 1),
the total residential water demand for the Black Country up to 2026 would be 18 Ml/d.
Broken down into the individual population centres, then the demands are highest in
-1
-1
-1
Sandwell (6.3 Mld ) and lowest in Walsall (3.3 Mld ), although Wolverhampton (3.7 Mld ) is
broadly similar.
•
An estimate for the total non-residential demand for the Black Country up to 2026 would be
-1
10.8 Mld (Scenario 1, Water Company forecast). The largest growth in the non-residential
-1
demand would come from the Sandwell area (4.18 Mld ), whilst the growth the other three
-1
population centres is between 2.1 to 2.3 Mld .
•
Both ST and SSW recognise the importance of water efficiency in managing the future
growth in demand within the Black Country. Leakage control will continue to play an
important part, although it has to be recognised that maintaining leakage at existing levels
with an increasing network will require a significant commitment from both water companies.
•
Scott Wilson’s initial assessment of the potential benefits from adopting a Water Neutrality
position on all future residential development within the Black Country would indicate that it
is a realistically achievable target for the Black Country Authorities to aim for in its WCS. In
order to achieve this would require the 332,000 currently unmetered households to reduce
their water consumption to rates equivalent to just above the level required in order for
-1 -1
dwellings to meet the CSH Standard Level 1/2 (i.e. around 120 lh d ).
•
There are currently over thirty Source Protection Zones within the Black Country area. The
presence of a Major Aquifer, the Sherwood Sandstone Aquifer of the Staffordshire Basin, will
be an important consideration when selecting which types of SUDS techniques are most
appropriate for different development areas.
13
The EA have classified all Water Company supply areas in England according to water stress based on the demand levels for
water against available raw resources. Moderate Stress indicates that water use and population is high in relation to available
resources and that careful planning of development is required to ensure that the environment is not harmed by further abstraction
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•
Other potential risks to water supplies within the Black Country include; Review of Consent
process, Climate Change, groundwater quality/WFD issues and water supply resilience
issues.
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5
5.1
Flood Risk Management, SUDS and Surface
Water Management
Introduction
A review of flood risk in the WCS is essential to ensure that:
5.2
•
The risk of flooding to the broad growth areas is quantified and the development is steered
away from high risk areas (Flood Zone 2 and Flood Zone 3);
•
Any flood mitigation measures are planned in a strategic manner; and
•
There is no deterioration to existing communities’ standard of protection.
Catchment Description
The River Tame is a major tributary of the River Trent and its catchment covers large areas of
Walsall and Sandwell. It rises to the south of Walsall on moderately permeable Lower
Westphalian geology (dominated by Coal Measures) in the Black Country, and flows north east
to join the River Trent at Alrewas. The primary geology of the catchment is Mercia Mudstone
mixed with Sherwood Sandstone. Relatively impermeable loamy clay soil overlies the geology
and resulting high percentage of the of runoff. Runoff is accentuated by the urban nature of
much of the catchment, especially in its upper reaches.
The headwaters of the Tame upstream of Walsall drain relatively high, sloping ground with a fast
runoff response to rainfall. The river then flows eastward through the highly urbanised West
Midlands conurbation and gains more flow from the high urban runoff. As a result of these high
runoff rates, storms frequently result in fluvial and surface water. The southern arm of the River
Tame (the Oldbury Arm), runs south to north through Sandwell.
The River Stour flows through the south of the study area including large parts of Dudley. The
catctchment is underlain by a mixture of moderately permeable Permian and Sherwood
Sandstones, Lower Westphalian geology (mainly productive Coal Measures) along with
Westphalian and Stephanian Barren Red geology to the east. Relatively impermeable soils
overlay the geology and resulting high runoff coefficient. Runoff is accentuated by the urban
nature of much of the catchment. The Stour eventually flows into the River Severn at Stourport
–on-Severn.
5.3
Flood Risk Identification Methodology
The aim of identifying the potential sources of flood risk to the study areas is to assess the risks
of all forms of flooding to and from development, in order to identify any potential development
constraints with respect to flood risk. PPS25 emphasises the need for a risk-based approach to
be adopted by LPAs through the application of the Source-Pathway-Receptor (SPR) model.
The SPR model firstly identifies the sources of flooding to and from a development. The
identification is based on a review of local conditions and consideration of the effects of climate
change. The nature and likely extent of flooding arising from any one source is considered, e.g.
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whether such flooding is likely to be localised or widespread. The presence of a flood source
does not always infer a risk. The exposure pathway or ‘flooding mechanism’ determines the risk
to the receptor and the effective consequence of exposure. For example, sewer flooding does
not necessarily increase the risk of flooding unless the sewer is local to the site and ground
levels encourage surcharged water to accumulate. The varying effect of flooding on the
‘receptors’ depends largely on the sensitivity of the target. Receptors include any buildings
within the range of the flood source, which are connected to the source by a pathway.
In order for there to be a flood risk, all the elements of the model must be present. Furthermore
effective mitigation can be provided by removing one element of the model, for example by
removing the pathway or receptor. In the case of the Black Country, the general consensus is
that the receptor (i.e. new development) should be avoided via the planning process.
5.4
Current Flood Risk to Development Areas
5.4.1
Fluvial Flood Risk
The primary fluvial flood risk sources within the study are:
•
River Tame;
•
River Stour;
•
Ford Brook;
•
Smestow Brook; and
•
Illey Brook.
The EA Flood Zones and Flood outlines produced for the River Tame Strategy suggest that the
areas identified in Table 5-1 are currently at risk of flooding from the watercourses stated above.
Table 5-1 Areas in the Black Country at Risk of Flooding
The Woods
North East Oldbury
Yew Tree
Sandwell
Friar Park
Great Bridge
Metsy Croft
Horsely Heath
Walsall
Bescot
North East Darlaston
Willenhall
Wolverhampton
Stow Lawn
Bilston
Castlecroft
Pendeford
North of Bushbury
Dudley
Bramford
Wall Heath
Buckpool
Wollaston
Halesowen
Cradley
Lye
Norton
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Reviews of the Level 1 Black country SFRA and Level 2 SFRAs, and meetings with Council
drainage engineers have identified numerous recent fluvial flooding instances, although the
dates and extents are frequently not recorded. Table 5-2 below details some of these incidents.
Table 5-2 Recorded Fluvial Flooding Instances in the Black Country
5.5
Watercourse
Area
Year
River Stour
Overend
2007
River Stour
East Halesowen
2007
River Stour
SE Halesowen
2008
Pendeford Brook
Pendeford
1998
Oxley Brook
Oxley
1998
River Tame
Bentley
2000
River Tame
Bescot/Palfrey
2007
Sneyd Brook
Leamore
2008
Potential Flood Risk from Development
If new development is planned for greenfield sites, or upstream of areas with known flood risk, it
is essential that any additional surface and wastewater generated due to the increase in
permeable area is mitigated to greenfield runoff rates to avoid increasing flood risk elsewhere.
This could be achieved through careful development layout and the use of SUDS.
5.5.1
National Flood Risk Policy: PPS25
14
Planning Policy Statement 25 (PPS25): Development and Flood Risk requires that all new
development should ensure that runoff rates and runoff volumes from new development are not
increased above that of the existing land use. For any development on currently undeveloped
land, there will be a requirement to ensure that runoff rates and volumes are no greater than the
greenfield rates for the design event with return period of 1 in 100 years (with an allowance for
climate change) and smaller rainfall events up to this level.
It is important to note that whilst the majority of the proposed development sites are on existing
brownfield sites, the latest EA guidance states that runoff should be limited to that of greenfield
rates, thereby requiring less runoff to watercourses and/or adjacent development areas than that
currently experienced.
PPS 25 also advocates the use of the sequential approach. The sequential approach is a simple
decision-making tool designed to ensure that sites at little or no risk of flooding are developed in
preference to areas at higher risk. It can be applied at all levels and scales of the planning
process, both between and within Flood Zones. All opportunities to locate new developments
(except water-compatible) in reasonably available areas of little or no flood risk should be
explored, prior to any decision to locate them in areas of higher risk.
14
Planning Policy Statement 25: Development and Flood Risk, Communities and Local Government, December 2006
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The Sequential Test refers to the application of the sequential approach by LPAs. This allows
the determination of site allocations based on flood risk and their vulnerability. Development
should be directed towards Flood Zone 1 wherever possible, and then sequentially to Flood
Zone 2 and Flood Zone 3.
The application of the sequential approach aims to manage the risk from flooding by avoidance.
This will help prevent the promotion of sites that are inappropriate on flood risk grounds. The
application of the Exception Test through a Level 2 SFRA will ensure that new developments in
flood risk areas will only occur where flood risk is clearly outweighed by other sustainability
drivers and mitigation measures are provided.
The LPA must demonstrate that it has considered a range of possible sites in conjunction with
the Flood Zone information from the SFRA and applied the Sequential Test and where
necessary the Exception Test (see Appendix D of PPS25) in the site allocation process. In
cases where development cannot be fully met through the provision of site allocations, LPAs are
expected to make a realistic allowance for windfall development based on past trends.
Further detailed information regarding the application of the Sequential approach can be found in
the Black Country SFRA.
The following points highlight key national, regional and local flood risk policy guidance.
5.5.2
National
•
In accordance with PPS25, all sites should be allocated in accordance with the Sequential
Test to reduce the flood risk and ensure that the vulnerability classification of the proposed
development is appropriate to the Flood Zone classification,
•
FRAs should be undertaken for all developments within Flood Zones 2 and 3 and sites with
identified flooding sources (according to PPS25 Annex E) to assess the risk of flooding to
the development and identify options to mitigate the flood risk to the development, site users
and surrounding area,
•
FRAs are required for all major developments in Flood Zone 1 (according to PPS25 Annex
E). These are residential developments consisting of sites greater than 1 ha or greater than
10 dwellings and commercial developments that are greater than 1 ha or have a floor area
2
greater than 1,000 m ,
•
Flood Risk to development should be assessed for all forms of flooding (in accordance with
PPS25 Annex E),
•
According to PPS25, it is recommended that where floodplain storage is removed, the
development should provide compensatory storage on a level for level and volume for
volume basis to ensure that there is no loss in flood storage capacity.
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5.5.3
Sub-Regional / Local
•
As stated in PPS25, surface water flooding should be investigated in detail as part of site
specific FRAs for developments and early liaison with the EA and the relevant LPA for
appropriate management techniques should be undertaken.
•
As stated in PPS25, groundwater flooding should be investigated in more detail as part of
site specific FRAs.
5.6 Residual Risk Management
Residual risk in a generic sense can be defined as being the remaining risk following the
implementation of all reasonable risk avoidance, reduction and mitigation measures. In a flood
risk context, this residual risk pertains to that remaining after flood avoidance and alleviation
measures have been put in place. Examples of such residual risks include overtopping or
breaching of flood walls or embankments.
Residual risk management therefore aims to prevent or mitigate the consequences of flooding
that can occur despite the presence of flood alleviation measures.
Application of the Sequential Test as part of PPS25 aims to preferentially develop or relocate
potential development sites into areas with low flood risk. Where this is not realistically possible,
some development sites may be located in higher flood risk areas, such as PPS25 defined Flood
Zones 2 and Flood Zone 3. As a result, such developments will require residual risk
management to minimise the consequences of potential flooding, e.g. following a breach or
overtopping of local flood risk management structures.
Ensuring properties are defended to an appropriate design standard reduces flood risk.
However, further options are also available should the residual risk to a development prove
unacceptable. The following residual risk options should be considered as part of site specific
flood risk assessments.
5.6.1
Identification of Potential Evacuation and Rescue Routes
In the event of a flood incident, it is essential that the evacuation and rescue routes to and from
any proposed development remain safe. The EA deem evacuation routes safe if they fall within
the white cells of Table 13.1 of the DEFRA/EA document FD2320 for a 1 in 100/200 year design
event as a minimum, and the EA inform LPAs of the risk posed during the extreme event (1 in
1000 year). This allows the LPA to consult with the emergency services over the suitability of the
access route. When considering plans for individual developments, emergency services should
consider the potential for widespread flooding and the consequential impacts on their resources.
If potential evacuation routes are likely to become inundated so that safe access/egress would
not be possible, then the proposed development should be relocated. This may also be the case
should the possible evacuation routes be particularly long or across difficult terrain.
A key consideration in relation to the presence and use of evacuation routes is the vulnerability
and mobility of those in danger of being inundated. Development for vulnerable users e.g.
disabled or the elderly should be located away from high-risk areas. The Sequential Test does
not, however, differentiate between the vulnerability of the end users of the site, only the
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vulnerability of the intended use of the site. A proposed residential development for highly
vulnerable end users will still fall under the ‘More Vulnerable’ classification in Table D.2 of
PPS25 and the Sequential and Exception Tests will apply accordingly. Where development for
highly vulnerable end users cannot be avoided, safe and easy evacuation routes are essential.
5.6.2
Time to Peak of Flood Hazard
Identification of the time to the peak of the flood hazard relates to the amount of time it takes for
a flood event to reach its maximum level, flow or height. The greater the time to peak, the
greater the time available for evacuation. The time to peak can, for residual flooding, be very
short. Should a defence structure breach then inundation can be rapid, resulting in a short time
to peak for the areas local to the breach. Typically, areas immediately adjacent to a breach
location will have a shorter time to peak than areas setback from the flood defence.
5.6.3
Methods of Managing and Mitigating Residual Flood Risk
Many techniques are available to manage and mitigate against residual flood risk.
include:
These
•
Setting aside higher risk land for recreation, amenity and ecology. These areas of open,
undeveloped space can provide areas for flood water storage.
•
Construction of secondary flood risk management structures can relocate floodwaters away
from certain areas or reduce the rate of flood inundation following a residual event.
Examples of secondary flood risk management structures include embankments or raised
areas behind flood defence walls, raised infrastructure e.g. railways or roads and on a
strategic level, canals, river and drainage networks. The latter are a form of secondary
defence as they are able to convey or re-direct water away from flood prone areas even if
this is not their primary function.
•
Finished Floor Levels Where developing in flood risk areas is unavoidable, the most
common method of mitigating flood risk is to ensure habitable floor levels are raised above
the maximum flood water level. Finished Flood Levels (FFLs) should be considered at the
same time as access and egress to ensure that residents are not trapped by flood water,
and in close consultation with the EA.
•
Flood resilience is a damage limitation measure to reduce the consequence of flooding and
should not be used as justification for inappropriate development in flood risk areas. The
Association of British Insurers (ABI) in cooperation with the National Flood Forum has
produced published guidance on how homeowners can improve the flood resilience of their
properties (ABI, 2004). The guidance identifies the key flood resistant measures as being:
−
Replace timber floors with concrete and cover with tiles,
−
Replace chipboard/MDF kitchen and bathroom units with plastic equivalents,
−
Replace gypsum plaster with more water-resistant material, such as lime plaster or
cement render,
−
Move service meters, boiler, and electrical points well above likely flood level,
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−
•
5.7
Put one-way valves into drainage pipes to prevent sewage backing up into the
house.
Flood warning and emergency procedures are typically higher-level management strategies
and should not be considered as a solution for flooding problems or a way of avoiding
provision for safe and dry access and egress. In addition, when deriving flood warning and
emergency procedures, the reluctance of residents to vacate premises upon receipt of a
warning or during a flood event should not be under-estimated.
Fluvial Flood Risk Summary
The Black Country SFRA (Jacobs, 2009) summarises that:
“There are few open watercourses flowing evident within the Sub region, and the risk of fluvial
flooding is relatively low. Notwithstanding this however, the heavily urbanised nature of the Sub
region, and steep sided valleys, result in quite a high susceptibility to localised surface water
flooding during periods of intense rainfall. Furthermore, whilst many of the culverts within the
Sub region have a sizeable capacity, there always remains a potential risk of blockage, resulting
in localised flooding”
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